New Delhi: The proposals of 229 institutions to be converted into deemed universities have hit a roadblock with the government keeping in abeyance the processing of their applications for the status.

These institutions had applied to the HRD Ministry for the deemed university status during the last five years. The ministry had forwarded the proposals to the University Grants Commission (UGC) for examination. These proposals are pending with the UGC.

'Now the ministry has put on hold the processing of these institutions. There are 229 proposals which remain where they are,' a senior UGC official said

As per the procedure, the UGC sets up an expert committee for examining the proposals. The committee members visit the institutions, inspect the facilities and decide whether they should get the status.

After the committee gives its report, it is discussed in full commission meeting which decides whether to recommend for award of the deemed university status to the institute. As per the recommendation of the UGC, the HRD Ministry takes the final decision on award of the deemed university status.

'These proposals are at various stages. In some cases, the UGC asked the institutes to fulfil their deficiencies while it is yet to constitute expert committees in certain cases,' the official said.