Higher Education Minister Aravind Limbavali told reporters that the Government is ready to accord them private university status or affiliate them to State universities in the interest of students. The Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry had recently informed the Supreme Court that 44 deemed universities across the country, including six in Karnataka, will be de-recognised if they fail to upgrade their facilities as per the UGC guidelines within three years.

The six universities are: Christ University, Jain University, Bijapur Liberal District Education Association, Devaraj Urs University (Kolar), Siddhartha University (Tumkur), Yenepoya University (Mangalore).

Limbavali also took exception to the HRD Ministry’s stand that these institutions are substandard. “The State government has given them no objection certificate to be deemed universities. They are all well-known institutions running for long time. They are not sub-standard,” he stated. He, however, said a State-level expert committee will be set up to examine the available infrastructure in them. Based on the committee’s report, the Government will take appropriate step, he added.

Hitting out at HRD Minister Kapil Sibal for taking unilateral decisions, he said the HRD minister does not consult the State on any policy matter. “Sibal is only creating panic among students. It was the Centre which gave permission for these deemed universities. No conditions were laid for these universities to function. Now, he is talking of taking action. Many a times, he contradicts his own statements. It seems Kapil Sibal is interested in only protecting the interest of foreign universities,” Limbavali charged.