UGC hasn't derecognised KSOU, claims Rangappa

The issue pertaining to the de-recognition of courses offered by the Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) got murkier with the varsity authorities claiming that the University Grants Commission (UGC) had continued its recognition to the varsity.

They alleged that the inaction of the State government to amend the KSOU Act was also a cause for the situation faced by the KSOU.

In a joint press meet by M G Krishnan - KSOU Vice Chancellor - and K S Rangappa - University of Mysore (UoM) VC and member of the KSOU Board of Management (BoM) - the latter claimed that the UGC recognition for the varsity had been continued for 2015-16.
Quoting a letter dated May 26, 2015, by Renu Batra, Joint Secretary, UGC, which was addressed to all VCs and directors of state universities, Rangappa said, the decision was taken during the 505th meeting of the UGC.

To a question on the University Grants Commission letter, dated June 16, 2015, which has derecognised the varsity, Rangappa said, only the decision taken during the UGC meeting was valid. But contrary to the statements made by Rangappa, Krishnan said, both the notices issued by University Grants Commission  were valid and the Karnataka State Open University was chalking out measures to regain recognition for the varsity.

The varsity will send a proposal, assuring the University Grants Commission  about addressing the concerns it had raised, and requesting it to withdraw its recent order.
“There are two approaches. We will appeal to the University Grants Commission  and appeal for recognition.

 I don’t think it will be resolved immediately. So, we are constrained to go to the court of law and the court will provide us immediate relief,” he said.

Government blamed
While reiterating their stance against territorial jurisdiction, both Krishnan and Rangappa blamed the State government for not amending the State Open University Act.

“We have opened outreach centres in other states because the Act allows us to do so. Until the Act is amended, the varsity will continue doing it,” Krishnan said. The varsity had urged the State government to amend the Act to avoid such issues. But, the State did not take any action,” he said.

To a question on the varsity violating guidelines, he said, the State Open University  had not violated any guidelines and all programmes were offered based on the existing guidelines.
Rangappa, recalling a similar UGC notice issued during his tenure, said, the varsity had then approached the Delhi High Court, which had issued a stay on the UGC decision.

On the charges levelled by MLC Go Madhusudan that the State Open University BoM was kept in the dark regarding technical and para-medical courses and other issues that led to the de-recognition of the varsity, Rangappa said, all decisions were taken with the full knowledge of the BoM.