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Govt offers land to institutes for contributions towards relief

Last Updated 22 October 2009, 19:24 IST

 
It has assured education institutes to bring in changes in law to allow them purchase agriculture land directly from farmers. However, in response to the gesture the chief minister wants generous contribution to rebuild the flood-hit areas.

Yeddyurappa, addressing the representatives of managements of private professional colleges in Bangalore on Thursday, said the government will bring in an amendment to the Section 109 of Karnataka Land Reforms Act 1961.

The Section prohibits purchase of agriculture land directly from farmers for setting up educational institutes.

Amendment demanded

For many years the managements have been demanding an amendment to this provision.

As per the existing norms those who wish to purchase agriculture land for education institutes have to follow a series of procedures and get clearance from Revenue Department.

The CM said that the Cabinet has discussed the matter and would take a final decision soon. The managements of educational institutions would not face any hurdle in getting their work done at the government level, he said.

M R Doreswamy of PES Institute said that neighbouring Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh governments had already brought in suitable amendments to this effect.

“I purchased 100 acres of land in Andhra Pradesh in just three days. Whereas in Karnataka purchasing land for education institutes takes at least two years. The CM has assured us that the Act will be amended,” he said.

Free land

The CM appealed to managements to adopt certain villages in the flood-affected areas and provide quality education. The government would provide land free of cost to private managements which set up colleges in the flood-hit areas.

The government would provide 10 acres of land for a medical college, five acres for an engineering college and two acres land for polytechnic and ITI colleges.

Expecting a good amount of contributions from the professional colleges, the chief minister said, “There are about 30,000 management quota seats in engineering colleges. At the rate of Rs 1 lakh per seat the private colleges can contribute about Rs 300 crore. Similarly, there are about 2,000 management quota seats in private medical colleges. At the rate of Rs 5 lakh per seat they can contribute another Rs 100 crore”.

At one point the CM said he would be glad if the institutes come up with cheques or demand drafts instead of consent letters. The government would begin construction of houses in a month’s time. The government is in need of money, he said.

Contributions

Many institutes announced their contribution in the meeting. The Federation of College Teachers’ Associations handed over the letter of consent to contribute Rs 40 crore from the arrears of their revised UGS pay scale. Employees of Karnataka Examination Authority handed over a cheque for  Rs one crore.

Medical Education minister Ramachandra Gowda appealed to the managements to contribute generously from their kitty instead of collecting from their students and the staff.

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(Published 22 October 2009, 19:24 IST)

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