Assembly passes two private varsity bills, Aadhaar bill

The Assembly, on Wednesday, passed two private university bills - Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara University Bill, 2018, and the Khaja Bandenawaz University Bill, 2018.

Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayareddi, who piloted the Bills, said that the increase in the number of private universities would enhance gross enrolment ratio in the higher education sector.

The Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Educational Society, Ujire, Dakshina Kannada, had proposed to set up the Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara University at Ujire, he said.

As per the bill, the Society is offering degree, post-graduate, doctoral, post-doctoral courses in humanities, languages, life, physical and allied science, computer science, IT, engineering, technical courses, medical sciences and allied sectors, commerce and business management.

The varsity will have to be set up on the land made available by the Society, which is also expected to establish a permanent statutory endowment fund. The varsity, which will be headquartered at Dharwad, will not receive any financial assistance from the government. It has to seek accreditation from the respective statutory national accreditation bodies.

The Khaja Bandanawaz University has been proposed to be set up by the Khaja Bandanawaz Educational Society, Kalaburagi to promote research and development in fields such as science, engineering, technology, humanities, social sciences, education, management, commerce, economics, law, medicine, pharmacy, healthcare, sports and skills for advancement of humankind. The university will be headquartered at Kalaburagi.

The Congress had vehemently opposed establishment of private universities during the previous BJP governments in the state. The Congress was then the principal Opposition party.

The Assembly also passed the Karnataka Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Bill, 2018.