New Delhi, Dec. 16 -- Amid criticism that the proposed Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, centralises power by vesting final authority with the government, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday said that sovereign authority under all laws has always rested with the government.

His remarks came in response to criticism of Section 15(3)(g) of the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, which provides that the proposed higher education commission "shall be bound" by policy directions issued by the Central government and that in the event of any disagreement, "the Government's decision shall be final".

Speaking at a press conference a day after he introduced the Bill in the Lok Sabha, Pradhan said the provisio...