CM skips queries on Anna, says stir under control

27 issues discussed on Private Universities Bill in meet attended by CM, Dy CM, Governor and vice-chancellors

Inu00a0the city yesterday to attend a meeting at the Yahswantrao Chavan Academy of Development Administration (YASHADA) to discuss the implementation of the recently passed Private Universities Bill, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan avoided media questions on Anna Hazare.


Class act: Prithviraj Chavan (left) and Ajit Pawar at the meeting in
YASHADA on Private Universities Bill yesterday. Pic / Krunal Gosavi

The media, kept out of the meeting that went on till late in the afternoon, surrounded Chavan as soon as he stepped out of the conference. What followed was a barrage of questions on the Lokpal Bill and protests by Hazare's supporters and civil society in the city.

Chavan said he was happy that the Centre had taken the decision to introduce the bill and he was confident of it getting passed soon. "If people have any objections, these can always be discussed and valid suggestions can be incorporated later," he said.

Asked about Hazare's arrest and the protests in the state, Chavan ducked the question, simply replying that the situation was under control. "We are getting time-to-time updates and there seems to be not much trouble. As long as protests are peaceful and democratic, we wouldn't be stopping them," Chavan said.

Asked about the meeting and any decision on changes in the Private Universities Bill, he said 27 issues were discussed. On RPI leader Ramdas Athavale's demand for reservations for backward classes, he said all objections to the bill were discussed.

"The Bill has been introduced with the consent of a panel formed across party lines. Now there are some issues raised for which we are trying to get solutions. We shall soon hold a press conference to announce our decision," he said. The meeting was attended by Chavan, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, Higher and Technical Education Minister Rajesh Tope, Governor K Sankaranarayanan and vice-chancellors of all universities in the state.