By ARUN PRATAP SINGH
DEHRADUN, 9 Apr: Union Education and Skill Development Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, today said that a combined universities entrance test for all the Central Universities in the country is intended at improving the quality of education, and bringing uniformity in quality of education imparted. It is not intended to impose any Central laws on the state. Addressing the media at BJP State Headquarters here today, Pradhan sought to clarify that Higher Education is in the Concurrent List and therefore, a combined common entrance test is being implemented in Central Universities only. Pradhan added that while, the states are welcome to join hands with the Centre and implement the combined entrance test for the state universities, but it is entirely up to them. There is no pressure from the Centre on the states to actually do so. There are around 40 Central Universities and at present, the combined entrance test would be applicable to them only. In response to a question, Pradhan also said that the new Education Policy aimed at providing employment or self employment oriented education and this would be implemented sincerely. He added that the Centre is more than willing to help Uttarakhand towards employment oriented skills development in all possible ways. BJP State President Madan Kaushik, Education Minister of Uttarakhand, Dhan Singh Rawat, BJP leaders, Jyoti Prasad Gairola, Anil Goyal and Neha Joshi were among those present on this occasion.