Strong stance in issuing license for private university: Suranjit

Awami League Advisory Council member Suranjit Sengupta, MP, on Friday said the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the education ministry should take a strong stance while issuing licenses for the private universities.

"Excepting a few, condition of most of the private universities is bad. Though the owners say about non-profit institutions, the private universities have turned out to be profitable institutions in present time. So, the owners should pay VAT (Value Added Tax)," he said.

Suranjit Sengupta, also chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry, said this while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion in the city.

Bangabandhu Academy organised the discussion on current politics at the auditorium of the Institution of Diploma Engineers at Kakrail with its adviser Haji Md Selim, MP, in the chair.

Dhaka City Awami League (AL) vice-president Faezuddin Miah, Samyabadi Dal central leader Haroon Chowdhury and Bangabandhu Academy secretary general Humayun Kabir Mizi were the discussants, among others.

Suranjit Sengupta, also a senior leader of the ruling Awami League, said that all the matters including the issue relating to imposition of VAT on private universities and enhancing the dignity of the teachers of the public universities could be resolved through talks.

"The issue relating to payment of standard salaries and other perks for the teachers of public universities should be resolved in talks. An acceptable understanding could be reached if the government looks after the issue with openness," the AL leader added.