Kapil Sibal hits out at Opposition for stalling key education bills in Parliament

NEW DELHI: Union Minister Kapil Sibal today attacked the Opposition for stalling key legislations on higher education in Parliament, saying it is resulting in "paralysis" of decision making process.

"In the event the opposition parties continue to stall these very significant legislations, I do believe they are harming the future of India and people. The paralysis does not lie in government decision making, the paralysis lies in Parliament where those decisions are not allowed to fructify through legislations," he said.

Addressing a round table on government-industry partnership on setting up of theme based innovation centres, he regretted that opposition parties were not allowing discussion on these bills despite being clearance from Parliament standing committee which comprises members from various parties.

"We have taken all the decisions (about the Bills) in the first one year, the rest is for all to see. All legislations were presented in the first year and it took two- and-half-year to go to the standing committee stage. Now when they come to Parliament after endorsement of the standing committee, we are not allowed to be voted upon and not allowed to be discussed," he said.

The HRD Minister especially referred to the Accreditation Bill and the Unfair Practices Bills whose passage would have paved the way for ensuring quality and transparency in higher educational institutes in matters of admission and charging of capitation fee.