The State government has proposed to hold counselling through video-conferencing for admissions to various professional courses at Gulbarga, Hubli and Mysore, according to Minister for Higher Education D H Shankarmurthy.
Speaking to media persons in Bangalore on Wednesday, Shankarmurthy said that a lot of inconvenience was being caused to students due to holding of counselling only at the State capital.
“Why not we hold it at these places also”, he asked adding that the proposal will be implemented from the coming academic year.
Referring to the CET Cell , which was recently registered as the Karnataka Examination Authority under the Co-operative Societies Act, Shankarmurthy said that the government proposed to outsource the Authority to those agencies which wanted to conduct exams for banks etc.
“If we outsource it, we can earn lot of revenue as the CET Cell (now KEA) has vast infrastructure and we can reduce the fees of students also”, Shankarmurthy added.
Guest lecturers
With a view to mitigating the shortage of lecturers in government degree colleges, the Joint Director of Dharwad has so far appointed 650 guest lecturers and the Mangalore Joint Director 300 guest lecturers.
On the reports that his trip to USA beginning from August 24 will be funded by the CET Cell, he said there was nothing wrong in utilising the funds.
 “There are no funds in the Education Department while the CET Cell has it; it is a government body. Moreover what is wrong in proceeding on foreign-jaunt which is aimed at benefiting the  students of Karnataka?”
The Cambridge University wants to give two scholarships to two students from Karnataka. On the way to USA, I am signing an MoU at London.
Moreover at the US I am signing an MoU which would facilitate setting up of faculty training centres in engineering colleges, the Minister stated.
Edusat
Shankarmurthy gave an evasive reply when he was reminded of his statement that an explanation will be sought from the Commissioner of Department of Collegiate Education M V Jayanthi for keeping him in the dark about the launch of Edusat network recently.
KEA to conduct exams
The CET Cell, which is now registered as the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA)  may also conduct entrance examination for the PG admissions.
Medical Education Minister V S Acharya said the medical entrance examinations conducted by the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences for Post Graduate admission is likely to be conducted by KEA. ``We are yet to discuss with the RGUHS on this. We want KEA to be a complete examination body,’’ he said.
Each member of the KEA will get paid Rs 1,000 as a sitting fee including Chairperson.
KEA will also bear the foreign visit of the three dignitaries. 
The guidelines also states that the expenditure should be in tune with the existing scales prescribed by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR).

CET Bulletin

Following is the opening status of engineering seats at the CET Cell when casual vacancy seat selection begins at 9 am on August 23. The seat selection process will be held for general and reserved category students
Category-wise
1G: 57; 1K: 2; 1R: 6; 2AG: 206; 2AK: 9; 2AR: 25; 2BG: 55; 2BK: 2; 2BR: 8; 3AG: 40; 3AK: 2; 3AR: 8; 3BG: 48; 3BK: 4; 3BR: 9; GM: 4,722; GMK: 31; GMR: 91; SCG: 271; SCK: 8; SCR: 27; STG: 53;  STK: 2; STR: 5; Total: 5,693
Branch-wise
Electronics: 1171; Computers: 1046; Mechanical: 1063; Electrical: 453; Civil: 517; Industrial Production: 77; Instrumentation Tech.: 117; Industrial Engg. Mgmt.: 63;  Automobile: 42; Chemical: 60; Telecom: 110; Medical Electronics: 33; Textiles: 26; Biotechnology: 109; Mining: 7; Ceramics: 4; Silk Technology: 11; Construction Tech.: 1; Biomedical Engg: 30; Environmental: 14; Info. Science: 700; Polymer Tech.: 5; Manufacturing Sc.: 0; Aeronautical Engg: 34. Total: 5,693.
Engineering rank holders from 2501 to 5000 ranks will be allowed for selecting the Engineering seats on August 23.
Abbreviations: G- General; K- Kannada medium; R-Rural; Other abbreviations refer to caste categories.