National Law University in Budgam still in planning stage: Govt

Jammu, Apr 4: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday said the proposed National Law University (NLU) in Budgam has not been established yet, as the matter is still under consideration.
Replying to a question in the Legislative Assembly tabled by MLA Budgam Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi, the government said that although the J&K National Law University Act, 2018, has already been enacted, the government is yet to notify the headquarters of the university.
Once the notification under the Act is issued, further steps for the establishment of the university will be taken accordingly, it said.
The government further informed that a committee headed by a senior official had examined various aspects related to the establishment of NLU, including infrastructure, faculty, admission process and financial requirements. “The committee has submitted its report, which is currently under examination before the government,” it said.
On the status of Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) campus in Budgam, the government said that the university is actively pursuing the construction of a College of Teacher Education (CTE) building at its satellite campus in Srinagar.
It said that the project is being taken up with financial assistance under the Higher Education Funding Agency (HEFA) loan.
The government added that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is under preparation and will be submitted to HEFA and the Ministry of Education for approval.
However, it said that approval is still awaited from the Ministry of Education for the utilisation of the unspent balance of the sanctioned loan. “The response from the Ministry of Education is still awaited,” the government said.
Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Budgam, Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi termed the government’s reply on the proposed National Law University (NLU) as a “mockery of the Assembly”, saying commitments made on the floor of the House must be honoured.
Speaking to reporters outside the Assembly here, Mehdi said that on October 25, 2025, it was stated on the floor of the House that a National Law University would be established in Ompora area of Budgam.
“The government did not make this promise at a political rally or party meeting, but on the floor of the Assembly. In my view, this is not just a mockery of the people of Budgam, but of the Assembly itself,” he said.
Commenting on the conduct witnessed in the House, particularly involving Minister Sakeena Itoo and PDP MLA Waheed Parra, Mehdi said he does not support the manner in which reputations are being targeted.
“I am absolutely not in favour of dragging reputations—whether it is the government targeting the opposition or vice versa. Given the challenging times and the fact that people of Kashmir have sent us here, our focus should be on addressing their issues,” he said.
The PDP leader said matters such as reservation, concerns of casual labourers, daily wagers, and other pressing public issues should take precedence over political confrontations.
On the issue of private universities, he said such institutions must primarily aim at strengthening educational infrastructure within the region.
“We expect that the bill should expand educational opportunities locally so that students do not have to go outside the UT or abroad for studies,” he said.
Mehdi, however, cautioned against the commercialisation of education, saying private universities must not become “shops driven by capitalistic motives.”
“If that happens, it will lead to exorbitant fees, and poor students will be left wondering whether they can even secure admission. The core objective must remain improving access to quality education within the region,” he added. (KNO)