Piloting the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (amendment) Bill 2007, Dr Acharya said the new campus in Ramanagara will have medical, dental, pharmacy and nursing colleges, a health complex, besides hospitals.
Presently the campus is functioning from the Sanjay Gandhi Accident Hospital at Jayanagar ‘T’ Block, in Bangalore. The minister said 247 acres has been identified in Ramanagara and Rs 55 crore has been released during the current fiscal.
However, opposition members sought an explanation from the minister on why Ramanagara had been chosen as the new location of the campus. “Is it because it is Chief minister H D Kumaraswamy’s constituency. If Mr Revanna becomes CM tomorrow will you shift the campus to Holenarasipura”, asked Dr M P Nadagouda (JD-U).
In Kengeri
Mr V R Sudhashan pointed out that 50 acres had been identified in Kengeri way back in 2002 and several committees had recommended that it was an ideal location for the campus.
Mr Kumaraswamy, who was present in the House, said that RGUHS had been functioning without proper infrastructure. He said the move to shift the campus was part of the Government plan to reduce the pressure on Bangalore City. Dr Acharya said Government will soon notify Ramanagara as a district and the process has been initiated for construction of district-level offices for revenue, police and zilla panchayats.