Copyright news18
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced on Wednesday that the National Law University (NLU) will commence operations in the valley starting from April next year. The CM made this announcement while addressing a private member resolution proposed by Congress MLA from Bandipora, Nizam-Ud-Din Bhat, reported PTI. “This House unanimously resolves to impress upon Government to initiate process of establishing the Jammu and Kashmir National Law University at Srinagar, without any further delay, as the funds earmarked for the first phase have already been provided,” read Bhat’s resolution. The assembly passed the resolution by voice vote after the chief minister stated that his government had no objections to it. Abdullah added that the government is focused on expanding the education infrastructure. Regarding the location of the NLU, Abdullah said he would not delve into specifics as long as it is established within Jammu and Kashmir. He mentioned that the proposal will be discussed with the Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court, and the J-K Chief Secretary. “We have to set it up and we will spend the money, but others also have a role in it. I have not come across any pressure from outside on where to locate it. But, we are not immediately building a campus. We will have to start in a rented accommodation to start admission and classes,” he explained. Abdullah stated that the university will begin functioning from April next year at Ompora in central Kashmir’s Budgam district. Previously, the government had planned to establish a software technology park there, but the Air Force raised objections due to potential interference from the park’s antennas with their communication systems. “That campus is vacant. If everything goes well, by April next fiscal we should be able to start classes in rented accommodation,” he said, adding “if we cannot find a better location, we would start the National Law University at that place.” The chief minister noted that once the NLU starts operating, students from J-K who currently have to study law outside the UT will be able to do so locally. He also assured that work regarding the university is continuously ongoing in the civil secretariat.
