The first batch of students expected to pass out of the Veterinary College in July are in a fix as their institution is yet to be recognised by the Veterinary Council of India (VCI).
Unless the State government releases Rs 20 crore at the earliest, the efforts of 23 students pursuing the course for the last five years would go waste. Without recognition from VCI, the graduates won’t be able to apply for jobs.
Mired in delays
The state government gave the approval for starting a Veterinary College in the city and it was started in 2007. A vacant sericulture training centre on Arsikere Road was chosen for starting the college. A building, where cows were tethered was turned into a hostel. With the government assuring that it would provide all necessary facilities at the earliest, the VCI gave permission for admission.
Five years have passed, but the college doesn’t have a building of its own. Shocked at the lack of facilities, VCI denied permission to the additional two veterinary colleges proposed by the state government.
The first year of admission witnessed 30 students enrolling for the course. As none of the facilities promised by the state government were provided, the VCI denied permission for admission for the second batch of students.
Taking cognisance of the action, the state government approved 70-acre land on the outskirts of the city at Chikkahonnenahalli and work on the construction of the building started. Permission was given for admission again in the third year. At present, the college has 158 students. Due to the lack of facilities, the students were sent to Veterinary College in Bangalore for practical training.
Funds
Administrative approval of funds to the tune of Rs 77 crore was given to the college. Until now only Rs 35 crore has been released. Rs 17.5 crore was used for acquiring the land. Tenders were called for the construction of the college building at a cost of Rs 40 crore and hospital of Rs 13 crore.
Even though work on construction of building is going on, the contractors are reluctant to hand over the building as they haven’t been paid. College dean Dr Vasanth Shetty has already given several representations to district-in-charge minister and animal husbandry minister Revunaik Belamagi, but to no avail.
College dean Dr Vasanth Shetty opined that if the state government releases Rs 20 crore by March then contractors could be paid, following which the building could be taken over by the college. With basic facilities and a building in place, he expressed optimism that VCI would grant recognition to the college.
Campus receives VCI appreciation
A team from Veterinary Council of India (VCI) recently inspected that campus on the outskirts of the city at Chikkahonnenahalli. VCI president Narayana Mohanthy said that once the building was completed, it would be among the premier institutions in the country.
A study team from Tamil Nadu also visited the campus recently to learn about the facilities being planned at the institute.