New Delhi: The Centre has sought views from state governments, University Grants Commission and other statutory councils on the proposal to set up a National Commission for Higher Education and Research (NCHER), the Lok Sabha was told on Monday.

The government-appointed committee on Renovation and Rejuvenation of Higher Education, headed by Prof. Yashpal, has suggested setting up of NCHER as an overarching agency that would subsume many regulatory bodies, including UGC, AICTE and NCTE.

The government has written to the state governments, the UGC and other councils for their views on the recommendation of the Yashpal committee, HRD minister Kapil Sibal said in a written reply.

To another question relating to Yashpal committee, Sibal said Kaushik Basu, a member of the committee, had given a note of dissent. Basu had said private sector money should be allowed to come into higher education.

Basu had said differential pay should be allowed in institutions. The committee has responded to the issues raised by Basu, Sibal said.

The report is under the consideration of the government.