Corruption in varsities: Ravi demands inquiry by sitting judge

Chikkamagaluru MLA C T Ravi on Wednesday demanded an inquiry into the charges levelled by Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayareddy that 17 universities in the state are indulging in irregularities worth Rs 500 crore in the state.

Ravi, who handled higher education portfolio in the fag end of the previous BJP government, said, “A sitting judge should conduct the probe and submit the report within six months.” 

Ravi, who attributed the root of corruption to the then governor-chancellor H R Bharadwaj, blamed the latter for putting vice-chancellors posts up for auction, giving in for caste and money factor against merit. Congress should also own moral responsibility for breeding corruption, he said.

He said, Bharadwaj, a former Union minister from Congress, was nominated to the gubernatorial post during the tenure of Congress-led UPA  government at the Centre.

He also questioned Congress-led government in the state, how many cases have been booked against such erring VCs and also in how many cases first information reports (FIRs) have been registered. There are instances of continuing tainted VCs, he charged.
Complimenting Rayareddy for putting up a brave front, Ravi, however, cautioned him against the restraining forces to exert pressure on him.

Quoting the recent outburst of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who had reportedly called police officials as ‘Nalayak’ (Inefficient), Ravi criticised that the government is inefficient as a several files pending with different ministers.

It also reflects incapability on the part of the administration, he charged.
Levelling a grave allegation against the state government for fostering killing of right-wing activists belonging to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangha (RSS) and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Ravi said the recent incident of attack on the party leader Valerian Cutinho at Moodbidri is another such case.

The police, instead of initiating action against perpetrators behind the incident, have foisted cases against same party leaders, thanks to the blessings of local legislator and also the district in-charge minister, he charged.