In Backward And Most Backward Areas, Colleges Will Be Run On PPPs Models

• 19 Oct 2022

Why in News?

• In a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on October 18, 2022, it was decided that colleges will now be operated in PPP model in backward, most backward and remote and inaccessible areas of the state.

Key Point

• It is noteworthy that the colleges to be started on PPP model in Chhattisgarh are an innovation for the state. Proposed PPP In the model, this system will be given to private colleges from the beginning. No such scheme has been implemented in the past and no private colleges are operating under the arrangement given in this scheme.
• It is worth mentioning that under the Madhya Pradesh Non-Government Colleges and Institutions (Establishment and Regulation) Act, a total of 12 private colleges in the state are being operated under 100 percent regular grant.
• After the formation of Chhattisgarh state, 50 percent grant is being provided to four private colleges under the Chhattisgarh Non-Government Colleges and Institutions (Establishment and Regulation) Act, 2006 after the approval of the Cabinet . Apart from this, under this Act, once in three years, ad-hoc grant can be given for building expansion, purchase of furniture, equipment up to a maximum of five lakh rupees. The grant is sanctioned on the basis of the application.
• So far, on the basis of Chhattisgarh Non-Government Colleges and Institutions (Establishment and Regulation) Act, 2006, the above grant is provided only to those private colleges whose minimum 10 years of operation has been completed, but in the proposed PPP model, this system will be given to private colleges from the beginning. This will help the PPP to emerge from the adverse situation in the most backward and remote areas and to increase the all-round development of higher education. This model has been proposed to implement the model. The Chhattisgarh government has a vision that students can get higher education even in difficult areas.
• In the cabinet meeting held on October 17 under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, the proposed draft of setting up higher education institutions in the state under PPP model was approved to increase the gross admission ratio of the state in the field of higher education and to provide quality education facilities to the youth of backward and most backward areas of the state.
• In this, the maximum subsidy on fixed capital investment given to colleges to be opened under PPP model will be Rs 2.50 crore and Rs 1.75 crore subsidy will be given to colleges established in extremely backward areas and backward areas respectively.
• Similarly, at least 10 acres of land will be provided by the government at 50 percent concessional rate on a lease of 30 years. The land will not be used for other purposes. On the expiry of the lease period, the lease period can be extended with the consent of both parties.
• 50 percent of the interest amount will be paid by the government on the maximum loan of Rs 500 crore taken for infrastructure construction. Scholarships payable by the state government will be provided to the students studying in all the courses. The college will have to make salary arrangements for all the academic staff and employees on its own. For this purpose, the maximum amount of expenditure on total establishment by the state government will be given 20 percent and 30 percent expenditure burden on Rs 2 crore as establishment grant to the college established in backward region and most backward area respectively.
• At the same time, NAAC will provide an incentive of Rs 1 lakh 51 thousand and certificate to the colleges getting A++, A+ or A grade by the state government. The state government will bear 50 per cent of the fee payable to higher educational institutions to be opened under the PPP model or a maximum of Rs 3 lakh (whichever is less) for obtaining NAAC/NIRF quality certificate.
• The proposed scheme will help in increasing the gross admission ratio (GER) of the state in the field of higher education. Also, the youth of backward areas and most backward areas of the state will be provided with the facility of quality education. To fulfill the above objectives, this scheme has been submitted for implementation in the state.