Cong raises issue of fake degrees in private university, gross irregularities in SPU

Shimla, Apr 3 – Ruling Congress members raised the issues of fake degree scams by the Manav Bharti and APG university and gross irregularities in the recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staffs in Sardar Patel University Mandi in the state assembly. A call attention motion was moved by the Congress member Rajinder Rana and Chandershaikar in the assembly on Monday.
Replying to the call attention motion, Education Minister Rohit Thakur said there are a number of cases of fake degrees and paper leak, and the faith of people is eroded by the incident. In 2007 a total of 17 private universities came at once. He said that in January 2019 first complaint came in light. A 19 member SIT has been formed in the case. After that, in new revelations it was found that 90 percent of degrees issued by the Manav Bharti were fake. He said that the number of fake degrees may be more. This scam has put a question mark on the state education system and its reputation was dented.
Minsiter said that 21 people were booked in the matter and its main accused Rajinder Kumar Rana was also arrested but he is now released on bail. With the help of Interpol, a look out notice has been issued to ensure the immigration of absconding family of Rana.
Intervening on the issue Former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that in the matter of Manav Bharti university a SIT was constituted during the BJP government. Rs 195 crore property has been
attached by the ED. He said that the government should expedite the probe in the matter.
Thakur said that he would fight vehemently to save the existence of the university as the matter is being politicised. He said that Congress member Chandershaikhar should understand the role of such complaints who are trying to create controversy on the matter.
However, replying to the clarification made by the former CM, Rohit Thakur said that the matter was seized by this government in the month of February and the opposition would allow the government to look into the matter.