'Had told KSOU to close centres last year'

Higher Education Minister R V Deshpande said on Tuesday that he had directed KSOU Vice-Chancellor M G Krishnan to close the study centres operating outside Karnataka as well as professional and technical courses last year itself.

Speaking to mediapersons here, he admitted that the KSOU was allowed to open study centres anywhere as its deemed fit as per the KSOU Act. “However, the Supreme Court order is binding on the institutions and the KSOU should have restricted its jurisdiction.

The VC’s statement that other institutions are operating throughout the nation is no excuse for violation of the Supreme Court order. The university authorities should act in a responsible way in the best interests of the students,” he said.