Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI: The Srimanta Sankaradeva University of Health Sciences (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was introduced in the State Assembly to amend the Srimanta Sankaradeva University of Health Sciences Act, 2007.
After amendment by the House, this Act will be called the Srimanta Sankaradeva University of Health Sciences (Amendment) Act, 2025, that will come into force at once.
In the principal Act, in section 45, after clause (a), the Bill seeks to insert (1) ‘(aa) that the institute or colleges shall not be involved in any activity that directly or indirectly causes any threat to the security of the state and the nation and shall not indulge in any activity of proselytism or religious conversion and shall maintain a secular character,”
(ab) that a security clearance report shall be required to furnish in respect of the antecedents or precedents of the sponsoring body or management committee of the institute or colleges from the Home and Political Department, Government of Assam.’
(2). In the principal Act, in section 46, after sub-section (2), the following new sub-section (2a) shall be inserted as: ‘(2a) no application for opening new colleges or institution shall be considered by the University, if the activities of the college or institution is directly or indirectly brings threat to the security of the state and if required the university may cause such necessary inquire as may be required on this matter from requisite authorities or agencies for ascertaining the fact, and (2b) no application for opening new colleges or institution shall be considered by the university, if it does not contain specific details of the source of fund to be used for the establishment and maintenance of the college or institution and shall produce all necessary documents when required by the University and if the Government desires such documents of the colleges or institutions, the University shall furnish the same to the Government.’
(3) In the principal Act, in section 47, after sub-section (2), the following new sub-section shall be inserted: ‘(2a) For considering the affiliation of institutes or colleges, the Academic Council shall verify whether the college or the institute is involved in any activity relating to proselytism or religious conversion of students, faculties, and other staff, and the Academic Council, if required, may obtain an undertaking from the institute or college applying for affiliation. That college or institution shall strictly maintain the secular character.’
(4) In the principal Act, in section 54, in sub-section (1), in the third line, in between the words ‘academic administration’ and ‘of such affiliated college’, the following shall be inserted, namely- ‘including involvement in activities threatening the security of the state and conversion of religion of students, faculties and other staff.’
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