NEW DELHI: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resource Development has questioned the HRD Ministry's rationale in wanting to accord Central university status to the Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages (CIEFL), Hyderabad.

Because the committee does not want to be seen as a stumbling block in an attempt to upgrade an institution, it, however, has in principle agreed with the Ministry's move.In its report on the CIEFL University Bill, 2006 — tabled in Parliament last week — the Standing Committee emphasised that despite all the questions and reservations, it is not against empowering and strengthening an educational institution financially and otherwise.

The Bill, introduced in the Rajya Sabha in March this year, was referred to the Standing Committee.

It has accepted the Ministry's contention that the CIEFL's responsibilities had increased manifold due to globalisation as there is a greater demand for picking up foreign languages. "The committee is aware of the importance of English and other languages in the emerging scenario at the global level."

However, the committee has found fault with the Ministry's contention that there is no scope for autonomy within the University Grants Commission framework and that the UGC works as a roadblock to the development of educational institutions.

"It further implies that real autonomy and development of an educational institution is possible only if it were a Central university.''

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