Announced over 2 yrs back, no headway on establishment of Law University

Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Nov 29: The PDP-BJP Coalition Government has failed to make any major headway on the establishment of maiden Law University of Jammu and Kashmir even more than two years after its announcement due to lack of consensus between three key departments on certain aspects. Moreover, the poor financial condition of the State is likely to cause further delay in translating announcement into reality as there is no commitment of financial assistance from the Union Government for this project.
The announcement regarding setting up of National Law University in Jammu and Kashmir on the pattern of  National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore and National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR), Hyderabad was made by the then Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Syed Basharat Bukhari on July 23, 2015.
In this connection, a high-level delegation led by the then Law Minister also visited Bangalore and Hyderabad to acquaint themselves about the models of NLSIU  and NALSAR to be adopted for maiden Law University of J&K. During the visit, the delegation studied the academic courses offered by NLSIU and NALSAR, the requirement of faculty, the management and other vital issues involved in establishing such an institution.
The announcement was made on the ground that students from J&K are showing keen interest in pursuing advanced courses in legal sciences and research and in the absence of Law University in J&K they are compelled to take admission in such universities in different parts of the country like New Delhi, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh.
The keenness, at the initial stage, on the part of the Government for establishment of maiden Law University in J&K can be gauged from the fact that even it was announced that proposed Law University would also offer Doctorate in Law and super specialized courses in Business Law, Corporate Governance, Human Rights, Medical Law, Disability Law, Environmental Law, Cyber Law and Intellectual Property Law.
Even Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti in her address at annual joint conference of Chief Ministers of the States and Chief Justices of High Courts at Vigyan Bhawan New Delhi on April 24, 2016 had expressed keenness to set-up National Law University in J&K to impart training and education to students and researchers and to improve the quality of justice delivery system in the State.
However, despite lapse of more than two years no major headway has been made in translating the announcements of Chief Minister and former Law Minister into reality, official sources told EXCELSIOR while disclosing that Law, Finance and Planning Departments have yet not reached consensus on certain aspects relating to the establishment of Law University particularly funding options.
“The Planning Department has given consent to release certain amount that too during next five years with the condition that Law Department will explore other options of financing the project”, sources said while disclosing that Law Department is still groping in dark about meeting the balance cost of the project, which runs in several crores of rupees.
Disclosing that there is no commitment from the Central Government for funding the project, sources said, “the Finance and Planning Departments have asked the Law Department to come clear on all the aspects relating to the funding before going ahead with other formalities”, adding “even the location of the maiden Law University has yet not been finalized. Moreover, the Law Department will have to come up with a bill for tabling before the State Legislature before going ahead with the establishment of Law University”.
“At one point of time it was suggested that project should be considered under the Prime Minister’s Development Package but the same was out-rightly rejected by the Planning and Finance Departments on the ground that no untied grants are available under PMDP and diversion of funds would not be allowed by the Union Government”, sources said.
“All this makes it clear that at present no time-frame can be specified for giving practical shape to the announcement regarding establishment of maiden Law University in J&K”, sources said, adding “unless Government makes arrangement of funds the proposed university will remain on papers only”.

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