The Higher Education Department was particular that the Minister for Higher Education Aravind Limbavali should have a chamber, where the sales counter existed at the GIPT.
Eventually the minister did not use the room on the grounds of ‘defective vaastu’. The University ensured that the books meant for sale were packed in gunny bags. The room, still in the possession of the department, is being renovated to house the office of Karnataka State Higher Education Council, headed by Limbavali.
Sources in the Prasaranga of the University stated that the GIPT forced to vacate the room in a hurry. With no alternative place to relocate the counter, the books packed in gunny bags were dumped in the basement of the GIPT. The Hampi University has kept thousands of books for sale.
“Aravind Limbavali was supposed to assume the chamber on December 4. But it was cancelled as the minister rejected the room, citing vaastu reasons. Later, the Karnataka State Higher Education Council decided to have its office in that place,” a source said.
Mohan Kuntar, director of Hampi University’s publication wing (Prasaranga), said that the GIPT had asked the University to vacate the counter in a hurry. “We were not given enough time to shift the counter to a new place. Due to this, for the last one month there are no sales,” he said.
The counter had good sales as long as it was in the GIPT. In November last year alone, it had registered sales to the tune of Rs 1.7 lakh. The Hampi University has approached Bangalore University seeking for new space in the Central College campus, to house its sales counter. The Bangalore University Syndicate is yet to consider this request.
Srirama Reddy, principal of GIPT said, an office of the Higher Education Council would come up in the place where the sales counter earlier was. The Higher Education minister had already assured Hampi University an alternative space for the sales counter.
Making room
* Sales counter of Hampi University’s publications closed to make room for Minister for Higher Education Aravind Limbavali.
* Minister refuses to use the room citing ‘defective vaastu’.
* Room now being renovated to house the office of Karnataka State Higher Education Council.
Deccan Herald is on WhatsApp Channels | Join now for Breaking News & Editor's Picks