Shashi Tharoor Hangs out on Google+. Promises Transparency in Edu'n.

In a Google+ hangout, internet-savvy social activist-turned-politician Shashi Tharoor, who holds the HRD portfolio, answered live questions from across geographies on higher education and shared government's perspective.

The Minister state for Human Resource Development, Dr. Shashi Tharoor has said that the intervention by the Ministry in controversy over the Four Year Degree Course by the Delhi University will set a bad precedent. Replying to a volley of questions by the people belonging to the various parts of the country and abroad over an hour long social media.

A few interesting people came forward with their questions for Mr.Tharoor. Read below to know what questions were asked and what were the answers given by him.

While answering a question by Bangalore-based school teacher Chanda Bhide, he said that creation of new schools is imperative, and expansion is one of the major focus areas of education policymakers. Tharoor also said the ministry intends to set up a research and innovation university.

With regard to a question by Shantanu Gupta of Bangalore on the Kothari Commission report and Supreme Court decisions way back in 2000 and 2005, Tharoor said profitability in education is not permitted. "We are finding many private institutions charging heavy fees and engaging in unfair practises," he added.

"We aim to make the education sector transparent by putting information on the Web. The more transparent the process is, there would be less corruption," the minister said. Both UGC and AICTE, Tharoor believes, are taking similar initiatives.

Assuring Nipun Kaushik of improved infrastructure to help poorer schools, he said: "The idea would be to ensure parity and bridge the rural-urban divide. While answering Delhi-based entrepreneur Robert Mann, Tharoor said that they are keen to facilitate collaboration between various universities.

"We have seen improvement in higher education uptake while knowledge economy is vital to help India grow at 8/9 per cent," the minister told the Nottingham University student Saurabh Tripathi.

"As a part of RTE, we are taking many initiatives for girls to take advantage of the education system in India." He said that only 6 per cent students take loans for higher education. "We are encouraging banks to offer loans on reduced interest rates," the minister added.

Tharoor, while speaking on the Delhi University's four-year programme, informed that the decision was entirely of the university, and it was not healthy for a politician to intervene in academia. "The DU has followed certain procedures, including consultation to arrive at that decision, he said.

With the National Knowledge Network, he said that the government wants schools to be connected with ICT. "We are keen on NME-ICT (National Mission on Education through Information Communication Technology) as Communications Minstry has embarked on ICT roadmap. Tharoor, although raised concern over power unavailability in rural and remote regions.

Tharoor also slammed the Opposition for hindering the national growth by holding up Bills in Parliament. "The disruption to House is a betrayal to the right of voters and democracy. Why they (BJP) do not want discussion or debate," he asked.

However, The Minister highlighted the role of greater linkage between academics and Industry for imparting skills to the students to enhance their employability. When asked about disruption of Parliament by opposition, the Minister said disrupting Parliament is a complete betrayal to democracy and the people they represent.