• The Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University Bill, 2012 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on May 22, 2012 by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Shri Sharad Pawar.   

• The Bill seeks to establish an agricultural university called the Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh.  The jurisdiction of the university shall extend to the Bundelkhand region (covering 7 districts in Uttar Pradesh and 6 in Madhya Pradesh).  Initially, it would establish two colleges in Jhansi and later two in Madhya Pradesh.

• The key objectives of the university shall be to impart education in different branches of agriculture and allied sciences, undertake research in agriculture, undertake programmes of extension education in Bundelkhand region and promote linkages with national and international educational institutes.

• The university shall have the power to make provision for instruction in agriculture, to grant degrees and diplomas on the basis of examination, to provide lectures for people not enrolled as students such as field workers and village leaders, and to establish colleges related to agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, dairying etc, and to fix such fees as may be prescribed in Statutes. 

• The university shall be open to all irrespective of sex, caste, race or class.  It can however make special provisions for women, persons with disabilities, or persons belonging to weaker sections of society.

• The President shall be the Visitor of the university and shall have the right to get the university inspected or inquired into (after giving notice).  The Visitor may advice the Vice Chancellor after an inspection or inquiry.  The Vice Chancellor shall communicate such advice to the Board of Management of the university.  The Vice Chancellor shall convey to the Visitor any action taken by the university.  If the Board does not take any action, the Visitor may issue directions which the Board shall be bound to comply with.

• The first Statutes of the university are provided in the Schedule of the Bill.  Thereafter, the Board of Management may amend or repeal the Statutes.  The Statutes shall prescribe the manner in which the Vice Chancellor, Dean, Directors, Registrar and other authorities shall be appointed.  The university shall constitute an Academic Council, an Extension Education Council, a Finance Committee and a Board of Studies.

• The Board of Management shall prepare an annual report which shall be submitted to the Visitor.  The annual accounts of the university shall be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India at least every year.  This report shall also be submitted to the Visitor.

• Every employee of the university shall be appointed under a written contract.  If there is any dispute, it shall be referred to a Tribunal of Arbitration consisting of a nominee of the employee, a nominee of the university and an umpire appointed by the Visitor.  The decision of the Tribunal shall be final.  Similar provision shall apply in case of dispute with students over any disciplinary action.

• Employees and students of the university have the right to appeal any decision of an authority to the Board of Management, which may confirm, modify or reverse the decision appealed against.     

• If there is a question over whether a person has been duly appointed, the matter shall be referred to the Visitor.

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