Mankotia’s amendment to Varsities Bill defeated
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 4: Two Bills one pertaining to amend certain enactments decriminalisation and rationalising offences for ease of living and ease of doing business and also to repeal certain enactments be taken into consideration introduced by Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Javed Ahmed Dar on behalf of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah and another Bill to provide for establishment and incorporation of private universities in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and to regulate their functioning , management and academic standards for ensuring quality education and protecting the interests of students, introduced by Minister of Health and Education, Sakina Itoo in the House were passed by voice vote after the MLAs withdrew their amendments on the assurance of ministers. However the amendment made by BJP’s Balwant Singh Mankotia to Private Universities’ Bill was defeated by the House when put to vote as member said that he was not satisfied over the reply of Minister regarding his amendment that 75 percent jobs be ensured to local people of J&K instead of 25 percent.
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Earlier Sakina Itoo, while keeping Government’s view point before the House on Private Universities Bill and referring to amendments moved by Legislators Saifullah Mir of NC , BJP’s Balwant Singh Mankotia, Tanvir Sadiq of NC, Sajad Lone of People’s Conference and MY Tarigami of CPI(M) and Farooq Ahmed Shah also of NC proposed some amendments in the Bill but they all withdrew them after showing satisfaction with Minister’s assurance.
However, BJP’s Balwant Singh Mankotia who also introduced some amendments in the Bill was not satisfied with Minister’s reply saying that no reference was made to his amendment regarding grant of 75 percent jobs to locals of J&K in private universities instead of 25 percent jobs.
On the instance of Minister to withdraw the amendment he showed reluctance and pressed it for vote. However it was defeated by the voice vote as treasury benches voted against the amendment.
Mankotia said that there should be assurance of 75 percent jobs to local people to over come the unemployment problem. He said earlier while brining industries from outside the locals were promised jobs but the same was not kept hence a provision of 75 percent jobs be kept for locals.
The Minister ‘in her reply’ said that purpose of this bill is that more children be given benefit of education. She said many children are going outside the UT for higher education and there is no consideration of rich and poor as pointed out by some members. She, while pointing towards Mir Saifullah said his other suggestions will be examined. She also showed her reservation in accepting some other suggestions of members saying the same is not possible.
The Minister said BPL and other reservations for students can’t be possible and other things to be included later on. She said point raised by Nizam-ud-Din that annual audit should be done by CAG is already in the Bill. She said the proposal submitted by any party for establishment of private University will be thoroughly examined by the Ministry. She said members having other suggestions should send them in writing and she appealed the MLAs to withdraw the amendments.
There was a verbal duel between Mankotia and Minister of Transport and Sports, Satish Sharma when former demanded 75 percent reservation and pressed his amendment. Satish Sharma making a sarcastic remark asked “How many people were given employment by you during your period’s ?”
Earlier, the House passed the Jammu and Kashmir Jan Vishwas Second Amendment of Provisions) Bill 2026 which was moved for consideration and passing by Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Javed Ahmed Dar on behalf of the CM.
While speaking on the Bill the Minister highlighted the salient features of the Bill. He said on August 18 in 2025 first Lok Sabha passed this Bill after a great debate. Then it was passed by Rajya Sabha also.
On amendments moved by MLAs, he said their concerns have been addressed and appealed them to withdraw the amendments. After the reply the MLAs including Nizam-ud-Din Bhat, Balwant Singh Mankotia, Pirzada Farooq Ahmed Shah and Tanvir Sadiq withdrew their amendments.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has congratulated Minister of Education and Health, Sakina Itoo on passage of Private Universities Bill by the Assembly.
Congratulating Minister for Education, Sakeena Itoo, and all stakeholders, Omar described the passage of J&K Private Universities Bill as a milestone moment for the youth of Jammu and Kashmir.
“The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly has passed the Private Universities Bill today, marking a significant step towards shaping a brighter future for our youth,” the Chief Minister said.
Highlighting the broader vision behind the legislation, Omar said the Bill will open new avenues for quality higher education within the Union Territory, significantly reduce the need for students to move outside for studies, and attract reputed institutions to establish campuses in J&K.
He emphasised that the move reflects the Government’s commitment to strengthening academic infrastructure, fostering innovation, and creating a vibrant ecosystem for learning and research.
He said the passage of the Bill marks a decisive step towards positioning Jammu and Kashmir as an emerging hub of higher education and academic excellence.
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