Jammu, April 4: The Legislative Assembly on Saturday passed the Jammu and Kashmir Private Universities Bill, 2026 (L.A. Bll No. 08 of 2026) on establishment and incorporation of private universities in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Bill moved by Minister for Education, Sakeena Itoo read, “A Bill to provide for the 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”.
Speaking regarding the Bill, the Education Minister said that the Government has taken into consideration all the issues and concerns regarding Higher Education sector in Jammu and Kashmir before formulation of this Bill. She further said that this Bill will pave the way for establishing Private Universities and will boost the Higher Education sector here. She added that numerous students of Jammu and Kashmir will be benefited by this as they used to go outside J&K for achieving Higher education.
Legislators Mir Saifullah, Nizam-ud-din Bhat, Pirzada Farooq Ahmad Shah and Tanvir Sadiq had moved amendments on the Bill. These Legislators withdrew their amendments after assurances by the Education Minister.
Legislator Balwant Singh Mankotia had also moved an amendment, which was rejected through voice vote.
Later, the Speaker put the Bill to voice vote, and subsequently it was passed.
The Assembly also passed the Jammu and Kashmir Jan Vishwas Second (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 (L.A. Bill No. 07 of 2026).
The Bill was moved for consideration and passing by Minister for Agriculture Javid Ahmed Dar on behalf of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
While moving the motion, the Minister said, “A Bill to amend certain enactments, decriminalising and rationalising offences for ease of living and ease of doing business, and also to repeal certain enactments (L.A. Bill No. 07 of 2026), be taken into consideration.”
The Bill was subsequently taken up for consideration and passing by the Speaker before the House and was passed.
Members Nizam-ud-din Bhat, Balwant Singh Mankotia, Pirzada Farooq Ahmad Shah and Tanvir Sadiq withdrew their amendments following assurances from the Minister