Agriculture is the most essential element in a country’s economy. India that had a glorious agrarian culture had been subject to neglect due to various aspects of modernization. The Government had taken various projects to develop our agriculture sector and one of the prominent steps is the enactment of The Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University Act of 2016. This is one of the prestigious institutions founded in the pre-independence era by Lord Curzon in the year 1905 in Samastipur District in Bihar. It is the first imperial agricultural institute in India. Through the enactment of 2016 the former Dr Rajendra Prasad Agricultural University was upgraded as Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University on 28th May 2016 with elaborate 46 sections. Objective of the Act is to make this institution a landmark of National importance in the field of Agricultural research and development or any other matters or purposes for the upliftment of the university.
The Act provides vast scope of furtherance of research, technological pursuits, learning in allied sciences that aid for the Agricultural development. By virtue of Section 2 it is declared as institution of national importance through the Central Government’s extra ordinary Gazette notification. Part 3 of the act had given detailed description of agriculture including various crop productions, allied sciences in soil and water management, animal husbandry, diary sciences, floriculture, horticulture, agriculture engineering and technology, fisheries, use of land and management. Extension education on all these categories is also provided in definition clauses of the Act. Section 5 gives the power to create partnership programs in national and international level or any activities that promotes agriculture research and allied functions. All activities are done subject to time frame and the necessity.
The jurisdiction of the Act extends to all states of India where all agricultural, research and technology projects can be initiated giving particular emphasis on the State of Bihar.
The admission is open to everyone irrespective of caste, creed or religion and the real commitment of a candidate is given prime consideration. Section 28 confers the power to make ordinances subject to the provisions of the act with regard to the admission, courses offered, fees structure, examinations, enrollment and academic matters incidental there to. Section 32(2) deals with the disputes between employees and authority decided by an arbitrary tribunal. Section 33, deals with the legal proceedings against students in disciplinary actions that is considered as arbitrary proceedings in tribunal in accordance with the Act and decisions of the tribunal is appealable.
Section 43 has the exclusive power of central government to remove any provisions inconsistent with the act through Gazette notification.
Section 46 states that any notification made on Gazette with regard to ordinances or statutes before the parliament.
Undoubtedly this act provides ample scope for progressive development in the field of agriculture, research and technology imparting opportunity to everyone in the country without any prejudice and through all possible governmental support to them.
