Srinagar, Mar 30 — The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Monday rejected a Bill seeking to establish the region’s first private technical university in Pulwama, with the ruling National Conference voting against the proposal.
The Sheikh-ul-Alam University Bill (Private University Bill No. 9 of 2025), moved by PDP legislator Waheed ur Rehman Parra, was opposed by the government, which said it would first assess regional requirements before permitting such institutions.
“Once the Bill passes, only then can it be determined where there is a genuine need for such universities. We oppose it,” Education Minister Sakina Itoo told the House, indicating that similar proposals could be considered in the future.
Parra termed the rejection an “unfortunate impediment to progress,” asserting that the proposed university required no government funding and could address pressing educational needs.
He told the Assembly that hundreds of students from Kashmir travel to West Asia, Bangladesh and other Indian states for higher education, and cited around 500 reported “hate cases” involving Kashmiri students in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Punjab.
Arguing for local capacity, Parra said Jammu and Kashmir does not have a single private university, while about 500 operate across India. He added that the absence of such institutions leads to capital outflow, as students spend substantial amounts outside the region.