Bifurcation has put fin burden on parent varsities: Karnataka minister MC Sudhakar

Belagavi: Higher Education Minister Dr M C Sudhakar on Wednesday informed the Legislative Council that the bifurcation of universities had caused a financial burden on parent universities. 

As per details shared by the minister, some of the oldest universities, including the University of Mysore (UoM) and Karnataka University Dharwad (KUD) were struggling to pay retirement benefits to staff.

The minister was replying to the issue raised by BJP member Talwar Sabanna during Zero Hour. 

Taking part in the debate, Sudhakar said UoM was in need of Rs 150 crore and KUD needed Rs 140 crore to settle retirement benefits of staff, including pensions.

“After bifurcation, a number of affiliated colleges were divided between the two universities. But assets and liabilities were not distributed scientifically,” Sudhakar opined.

According to the minister, bifurcation of universities has affected parent universities more, as the responsibility of paying pensions of teaching and non-teaching staff remained with the parent university.

“Even revenue generation has declined for parent universities as the number of affiliated colleges has reduced after bifurcation,” he added.

However, Sudhakar said that the Cabinet sub-committee headed by Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, which was constituted to study the finances of state-run universities, would soon submit its final report.

“We have discussed the financial status of public universities in the Cabinet sub-committee. We have even found a solution for various issues the universities are facing and soon the final report will be submitted,” the minister assured.

Sabanna shared details regarding Gulbarga University and said, “Of the 206 teaching staff, only 34 are working. At least 16 departments have no faculty members at all and 283 non-teaching posts are vacant”. 

A few universities, including UoM, recently approached the government seeking financial assistance to settle the retirement benefits of staff.