A Brief Overview of the Tripura University Act, 2006

Tripura University was established in 1987. Although the state had other colleges before the University was founded, they failed to provide quality education to students. Therefore, to eliminate this problem and mitigate the effects of the geographical desolation of the state due to partition and student protests, the Tripura University was established.

The Tripura University Act of 1985 established Tripura University on the grounds of Calcutta University Post Graduate Centre. The University is located in Suryamaninagar, near Agartala, and has several affiliated colleges.

Tripura University Act, 2006

The Tripura University Act, enacted in 2006, aims to establish a world-class university in Tripura that provides several courses and allows it to act as an affiliating university to other educational institutions in the state.

The Act is extensive and lays down clear laws on matters ranging from its establishment to non-discrimination and the power of officers of the University. The Act has 48 sections that establish an operative framework for the University.

Aim of the University

The Act sets out the following objectives for establishing the University:

• To expand and improve knowledge through the University by supplying resources for education and research in subjects it considers suitable.
• To formulate relevant rules and regulations for ‘integrated courses in humanities, natural and physical sciences’ and relevant courses. Additionally, the Act emphasises the distinct curriculum for tribal culture and life.
• To implement a proper course of action for nurturing ‘innovation’ in the teaching and learning process and encourage integrated learning and research.
• To provide education and training to the human resource for state development.
• To be attentive to the development of social and economic conditions and the well-being of the people, including their intellect, academics, and culture.

Establishment of the University

Section 3 of the Act provides for establishing the Central University of Tripura and was first founded under the Tripura University Act 1987. The University has its head office in Agartala.

The university has all the features of a corporate body such as ‘perpetual succession’, ‘common seal’, and ‘a separate legal entity’ that can take legal action or be sued in the name of ‘Tripura University’.

As per the Act, the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, and other authorities like members of the court, academic council and executive council, who were the first to serve in those roles and continue serving, make up the University.

Equality in the University

The Tripura University Act of 2006 mandates that the University must not discriminate against individuals based on gender, caste, creed, class or race, and it should be inclusive and open to all demographics. The Act states that imposing tests of profession or religious belief on any individual to sanction their appointment as a teacher, officer, or admission as a student or their graduation is unlawful.

However, implementing special provisions for women or individuals with disabilities or those from weaker community sects (Especially SCs and STs) does not qualify as discrimination under this section.

Powers of University

The University has extensive powers listed under Section 6 of the Tripura University Act, 2006. The section lays down 28 controls that the University has and a few of them are as follows:

1. Create a framework to advance knowledge and research in the various courses offered;
2. Ensure academic distinction by evaluating the students, awarding honorary degrees, and offer distance learning facilities.
3. Create administrative positions and posts of principals, professors, lecturers, and other teaching positions and make appointments for the same.
4. Establish institutions for higher education; recognise an institution for higher education as determined by the University, and withdraw recognition in case of failure to maintain standards;
5. Appoint individuals teaching in other educational institutions as teachers in Tripura University for a specific duration.
6. Collaborate with other institutions offering higher studies for reasons decided by the University.
7. Establish centres, labs, or research units with the prior permission of the Central Government.
8. Grant scholarships, fellowships, and prizes.
9. Enter into agreements with other institutions for providing research and advisory services.
10. Implement and initiate disciplinary measures and actions to promote student discipline.

The University can also impose fees and collect them; arrange welfare provisions for students’ residences; determine admission criteria and eligibility; receive donations and gifts; and any other necessary act to achieve its objectives.

Visitor

As per the Tripura University Act, The President of India is the Visitor of the Tripura University. The President has powers such as appointing officers to review the University and progress of its affiliate colleges.

They can also take decisions in case of disputes, take action, or issue directions on receiving a report on the review. Other powers of the President as a visitor include the powers prescribed by the Statutes.

The President can authorise an individual or group to inspect the infrastructure, apparatus, and facilities. A prior notice of inspection must be sent to the University or its affiliate institutions.

Section 9 of the Act elaborates on the consequences of an inspection or inquiry. This section includes addressing the management on the outcome of the inspection or inquiry and offering advice, annulling any proceeding of the University if the same is not as per the Act or statutes of the University.

Statutes

The first Statutes are provided under the schedule for detailing the role, powers, and duties of the University officers. Additionally, the statutes also provide for the appointment of faculty and quorum (number of members in a meeting) for the meeting of authorities of the University.

University Authorities

Six authorities oversee the functioning and internal matters of the University. These authorities include the court, executive council, academic council, board of studies, finance committee, and others as mentioned under the Statutes. Although the Act briefly outlines its duties, the statutes deal with the same and their composition comprehensively.

Officers of the University

The Act provides comprehensive provisions for the authorities of the University who handle its affairs. These posts include chancellor, vice-chancellor, pro-vice-chancellor, dean of faculties, registrar, finance officer, controller of examination, librarian, and other officers declared by the statutes of the University.

Chancellor

The Visitor, the President of India, appoints the chancellor per the statutes of the University. The chancellor is the head of the University and is duty-bound to chair the University’s convocations for granting degrees and court meetings.

Vice-chancellor

The Vice-chancellor is appointed in the same manner as the President in the manner laid out by the University’s statutes. The role of the Vice-chancellor is more extensive and involved with the University’s executive and academic affairs than the President. The Vice-chancellor is responsible for bringing the decisions of the University’s authorities into effect. They have other powers and duties laid by the statutes and ordinances.

• The Vice-chancellor can decide on any matter and implement any power of other authorities if they believe that immediate action is necessary. Furthermore, such action should be reported to the authority who can initiate that action. However, if the concerned authority thinks that the action taken by the vice-chancellor should not have been initiated, then the person can refer to the Visitor, who decides upon the matter.
• Suppose the Vice-chancellor’s decision aggrieves an individual serving the University. In such a case, they can bring the matter before the executive council in less than 3 months from the date they learned the decision concerning the action.
• The executive council can validate, change, or reverse the action of the Vice-chancellor.

• If the Vice-chancellor believes that an authority’s decision contravenes the powers granted by the Act, statutes of the University, or its ordinances; then they are entitled to ask the concerned authority to review their decision within 60 days of the decision.

  In case the authority in question refuses to reconsider its decision wholly or partly or does not act upon the decision in dispute within 60 days, then the matter is referred to the Visitor. The Visitor’s decision on the conflict is considered to be final.

Other officials

Pro-vice-chancellor is appointed per the provisions of the University’s statutes and serves as per the same. The statutes prescribe their powers and duties.

Section 15 implies that there is more than one dean of faculties, and they are appointed as per the statutes. Their powers and duties are also laid out under the same.

The Registrar of the University is appointed per the terms of statutes and acts as a representative of the University in a legal setting. Their powers and duties include the following:

• Signing documentation as the University’s representative.
• Entering into agreements.
• Other matters as listed by the Statutes.

The finance officer, controller of examination, librarian, and other officials are appointed per the terms of the Statutes. Their powers and responsibilities are also set out under the Statutes.

Power to remove difficulties

The central government is empowered to make provisions if a difficulty arises in enforcing the Act or if it believes such action is necessary through an official gazette.

• The published order is brought before the houses of parliament during their sessions for 30 days in one session or continuous-uninterrupted sessions.
• If both Houses agree to modify or not pass the order, then it will take effect in its amended form or will not take effect at all.
• A modified order or an annulled order is irrelevant to anything under that order that is before the modification or annulment.

This section restricts the central government from making provisions in the manner mentioned previously after completion of three years from the inspection of the Act.

Conclusion

The Tripura University Act is a turning point for higher education in Tripura. Currently, the University is one of the best educational institutions in the state. However, despite the Act providing for the operation of the institution, it is limited because of the need for redressal provisions for administrative issues and student–teacher relations.

However, several controversies and administrative problems have emerged over the last few years. Thus, covering the loopholes or adequately interpreting the provisions consistent with the objectives of Tripura University is critical under the Act.