THE RASHTRIYA RAKSHA UNIVERSITY BILL, 2020

by curiousforlaw

14th October 2020

“A Bill to establish and declare an institution to be known as the Rashtriya Raksha University as an institution of national importance and to provide for its incorporation and matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.”

By: Shivani Kharai, 4th year BBA LL.B (hons), CMR University, School of Legal Studies.

The Rashtriya Raksha University Bill, 2020 was introduced in Lok Sabha by the Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Amit Shah on March 23, 2020. Rajya Sabha on September 22, 2020 passed the Rashtriya Raksha University Bill 2020, which seeks to establish Rashtriya Raksha University as an institution of national importance by upgrading Raksha Shakti University, Gandhinagar.

What is the Act?

INTRODUCED- LOK SABHA- MARCH 23, 2020

PASSED- LOK SABHA- SEPTEMBER 20, 2020

PASSED- RAJYA SABHA- SEPTEMBER 22, 2020

The Bill establishes the Raksha Shakti University, Gujarat (established under the Raksha Shakti University Act, 2009) as a University called the Rashtriya Raksha University. The Bill declares the University to be an institution of national importance.

It provides that the University shall be the public authority in clause (h) of section 2 of the Right to Information Act, 2005. The Bill also repeals the 2009 Act.

The bill classifies several authorities under the University:

The Governing Body, with the objective to frame the broad policies and programmes of the University
The Executive Council, which will be the principal executive body
The Academic Council, which will specify the academic policies of the University.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this bill are:

To declare the Rashtriya Raksha University as an institution of national importance.
To create new knowledge through research and collaboration with different stakeholders.
To provide dynamic and high standards of learning and research.
To provide a working environment dedicated to advancing research, education and training in the domain of policing.
To promote and provide public safety.

IMPORTANT POINTS OF THE BILL:

GOVERNING BODY

Section 12, the Governing body will be responsible for the affairs of the University. It will be consist of the 15 members, which are:

The Vice-Chancellor, which is appointed by the central Government.

One representative of Ministry of Home Affairs nominated by the central government, not below the rank Joint Secretary

One representative of State Police Universities by rotation, and

Three persons having expertise in defence, policing, internal security and allied fields. Nominated members will hold office for three years.¹

FUND

Section 31, the university will always maintain a fund which will be applied towards its expenses. The following points will be credited to the fund:

Contributions by the central government or state governments
Grants, gifts, and donations
Income from fees
Amounts received from any other source. These amounts will be invested based on the approval of the central government.

DISPUTE AND APPEALS

Section 40 and 41, any student or candidate whose name has been removed from the rolls of the University and who has been barred from appearing for examinations for more than one year may appeal to the Governing Body for review of the decision. Any dispute arising out the disciplinary action taken by the University against a student may be referred to a Tribunal of Arbitration. Disputes arising out of the contract between an employee and the University may also be referred to a Tribunal of Arbitration.

FUNCTIONS OF THE GOVERNING BODY

Section 15, provides the key functions of the governing bodies:

Forming policies and programmes of the University.
Advising on matters related to the duration of courses, conferment of degrees, and admission standards.
Specifying policies relating to the administration and working of the University and taking related decisions.
Forming statutes which will specify the establishment, composition, and powers of various authorities of the University, as well as the manner of recognition of an institution by the Executive Council as an affiliated college.

“According to a proposal, the Rashtriya Raksha University (in place of Raksha Shakti University) will be a multi-disciplinary institution to create new knowledge through research and collaboration with different stakeholders. While the Raksha Shakti University was a state university, the Rashtriya Raksha University will be a central institution.” – G Kishan Reddy²

What will the university aim?

The university will have linkage with world-class universities in other countries for exchange of contemporary research, academic collaboration, course design, technical know-how and training and skill development.³

The university will promote global standards and provide dynamic and high standards of learning and research; working environment dedicated to the advancement and dissemination of education, research, training and scholarship of the highest quality in the domain of policing including coastal policing, security, law enforcement, criminal justice, cyber security, cyber crime, artificial intelligence and related areas of internal security and public safety. Foreigners, Overseas Citizens of India cardholders, Non Resident Indians, Indian origin people living in Gulf and South East Asian countries can enrol in the University.