The Cabinet Sub-Committee held its first meeting on 14 February 2025 to review the functioning and financial situation of public universities under the chairmanship of Karnataka DCM DK Shivkumar. Photo Credit: Shiv Kumar Pushpkar
Karnataka Deputy Minister DK Shivakumar said, “The State Cabinet will take a appropriate decision on the continuity or closure of nine new universities including Mandya and Chamrajnagar established during the BJP tenure.”
Speaking to the media in Bengaluru on Friday (February 14, 2025), he said, “The previous government established new universities without providing appropriate land and necessary grants as per rules in the state. In particular, students from Mandya and Chamrajnagar districts expressed the opinion that they wanted to continue their higher education only with the University of Mysore. Therefore, enrollment in the universities of Mandya and Chamrajnagar has fallen and these universities have submitted an internal report to the government in this regard. ,
“In view of this report, the Chief Minister formed a cabinet sub-committee under my chairmanship to review the work and financial situation of these universities. In a meeting of Thursday (February 13, 2025), we discussed in detail about financial status and other issues of universities. Many experts and officials have expressed their views in the meeting. We will explain all these things to the Chief Minister. The report will then be placed in the cabinet and a proper decision will be taken, ”he said.
Deficiency of faculty
In response to the question whether new universities would be discontinued or merged with original universities, Mr. Shivkumar said, “The new universities are mainly facing lack of faculty. Faculty and other employees are not ready to go to new universities from original universities due to problems in salary, seniority and pension. The future of students is important for the government. It has no personal agenda. Therefore, a proper decision will be taken from the point of view of students and universities, ”he said.
Higher Education Minister MC Sudhakar said that the BJP government had established new universities in the state. According to the rules, for a period of five years for all tasks, 347 crore is required, including land for the establishment of a new university. However, the BJP government established new universities without providing a proper land or any grant, he said.
“It has also reduced the number of component colleges for all universities, which has led to a decline in income. Apart from this, the administrative system has also collapsed. If the government does not interfere in such a situation, quality education will be affected and some private universities will consider it. Therefore, another meeting will be held in this regard, there will be a widespread discussion and a report will be presented to the Chief Minister.
To stay only Bedar University
However, Cabinet Sub-Committee, Shri Shivkumar held its first meeting on February 14, 2025 to review the functioning and financial status of public universities, and recommend closing nine out of 10 newly established state-driven universities. Decided ,
It was decided to recommend the merger or closure of all other newly established universities including Mandya University in Bangalore, Chamarajanagara University, Maharani Cluster University and Nupatunga University, except Bidar University.
The 10 new universities established by the BJP government are Hassan, Bedar, Chamarajanagar, Havari, Kodagu, Kopal, Bagalkot, Maharani Cluster, Mandya and Nupatunga.
Published – February 14, 2025 05:24 pm IST
