New Delhi, Dec 7 (PTI): The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked institutions deemed to be universities to close off-campus centres started without prior permission from UGC or education ministry.

In a written reply in Lok Sabha, Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani today said that UGC had found that some institutions deemed to be universities were running off-campus centres without prior permission either of UGC or the ministry.

Some of the institutions she named were Banasthali Vidyapeeth (Rajasthan), Birla Institute of Technology (Mesra), Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences (Pilani), Homi Bhabha National Institute (Mumbai), Indian School of Mines (Dhanbad).

She also mentioned the names of Indian Veterinary Research Institute (Izatnagar, UP), Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (Gwalior), Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Sciences (Mumbai), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (Mumbai) and Ponnaiyah Ramajayam Institute of Science and Technology (Thanjavur) as other institutions that had set up off-campus centres without prior permission.

"Accordingly, UGC vide letter dated 9th November, 2015 has asked the institutions to close off-campus centres of these institutions which have been started or established without prior permission of the ministry," she said.