Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar on Friday said there was no question of closing down of Karnataka State Open University (KSOU).
He was speaking to reporters in Bengaluru after receiving a memorandum from a delegation led by KSOU vice chancellor D Shivalingaiah with university officials and students.
“There is no proposal before the Centre to close down KSOU. We too are concerned about the future of three-and-a-half lakh students enrolled with the university. We will take steps to revive the university,” Javadekar said.
Javadekar said he was surprised that a minister in the Siddaramaiah Cabinet had said the university might have to be closed down. The minister was referring to Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayareddy, but did not name him.
He said irregularities in the university amounting to Rs 500 crore had come to the Centre’s notice and four probes have been ordered. Disciplinary and criminal action will be initiated against those responsible for the irregularities, he added.
The Centre is committed to providing the necessary grants and infrastructure to KSOU, Javadekar said.
Meanwhile, police used canes mildly to disperse protesting ABVP workers and students at Freedom Park. They were on their way to picket Vidhana Soudha. The police took some into preventive custody and released them later. The police deployed additional men to control the situation.
Published 13 October 2017, 13:34 IST