Jammu, Apr 4 (KNS): The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday informed the Legislative Assembly that the proposed National Law University (NLU) in Budgam remains in limbo, with no notification issued for its headquarters despite a 2018 Act, while the Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) campus project is stuck pending central approval for funds.
Responding to a written query by People's Democratic Party (PDP) legislator from Budgam, Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi, the Law Department as per news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) stated that the Jammu and Kashmir National Law University Act, 2018, had received the Governor's assent on September 28, 2019. However, Section 3 of the Act, which empowers the government to notify the university's headquarters, is yet to be invoked.
"The Government is yet to notify the headquarter of the University in terms of section 3 of the Act. Once a notification is issued, further necessary steps for establishment shall be taken accordingly," the reply said.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
The government further disclosed that a committee headed by then Financial Commissioner Shantmanu had examined the NLU proposal, including land, infrastructure, and fee structures, and submitted a report which is "under examination." No revised timeline for the university's establishment has been fixed.
On the MANUU campus at Budgam, the government said the university is actively pursuing construction of a College of Teacher Education (CTE) building through a loan under the Higher Education Funding Agency (HEFA). While the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has submitted a preliminary estimate, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is being prepared.
However, the reply noted that MANUU has requested the Ministry of Education to allow utilization of unspent HEFA loan balance for the CTE building, but "the response from the Ministry of Education is still awaited." (KNS)