Armed with model guidelines formed a year ago for regulating private universities coming to Jharkhand, the State Government has handed over the letter of Intent (loI) to four new educational institutions. Amity University, AISECT University, Metas of Seventh Day Adventists and Karunya University entered into an agreement with the Government for this purpose on Friday.

The four universities have been selected among 11 applications which came since the State Government formulated a model guidelines meant for the institutions coming in the private sector. The guidelines, apart from others, lay down certain terms and conditions needed to be fulfilled before the formal process starts.

As per the loI, the universities entering into agreement with the Government for setting up campuses in the State have to deposit Rs 4 crore in endowment fund with the Government. "Besides, within two years of the loI given, the multi-disciplinary universities have to possess at least 25 acre of land apart from building adequate infrastructure such as laboratory, library and classrooms," said Higher Education Secretary Ajoy Kumar Singh on the occasion.

Fulfillment of the norms would be evaluated by a Government panel and after its satisfaction only an Act related to a particular university would be tabled and passed in the Assembly. "We have seen some serious mess being created by some previously setup universities. They are running without adequate progress made so far. We have kept the norms to prevent similar things to happen again," added the Secretary.

Chief Minister Raghubar Das, on the occasion, assured the officials of the universities of all desired support, including the most challenging one-land.

"Education has a major role to play in the development of the State. In my personal opinion more and more investment is needed in the field of higher education. When it is coming in Jharkhand, we would try our best to remove the obstacles in the way. We have identified land for the universities. You can go near Knowledge Centre in Khunti or if willing to set up campus near Ranchi then we also have 150 acres of land at Ormanjhi. You people can tomorrow visit the sites," said the CM to infuse confidence.

The CM, at the same time, also underlined the scope in Jharkhand in the fields of information technology, automobile, power, mining etc and mentioned that his Government was working on new IT and mining policies in the direction of making several hubs in the State in future. "I can also assure that we have started rubbing anti-social elements that have been running extortion business here. Such elements would be neutralised fully in the days to come," added the CM.    

With the agreement all the four universities would invest in the tunes of Rs 1332 crore in the next five years in the State for building desired infrastructure and assets. Amity University would come up with Rs 692 crore while AISECT would chip in with Rs 90 crore, Karunya with Rs 350 crore and Metas with Rs 200 crore.

Director General of AISECT Santosh Kumar Chaubey said that they are looking for land at Sukurhutu. "We would like to go for IT in Hindi language besides, mining and sports disciplines and skill development. If permitted for distance education, we can invest more."

Education Minister Neera Yadav, while reminding the misconduct having taken place in earlier cases, urged the officials of the universities to adhere with the set norms within the set timeline. "We want you also to be sensitive towards the students. They should not get a feeling that they are less privileged than those studying in Government universities. They should not be cheated in any way," said the Minister.

Chief Secretary Rajiv Gauba termed the step necessary keeping in mind dismal 8.1 per cent gross enrollment ratio in comparison with 19.4 per cent national average.

Seven more such proposals are pending and expected to be finalised soon. The Government had allowed four other private universities- Rai University, ICFAI, Usha Martin and Sai Nath University- earlier and reports about their proper operation has not been satisfactory.