In Council, members object to NLSIU's definition of Karnataka quota

Belagavi: Several members of the Legislative Council on Thursday took objection to the 25 per cent reservation for Karnataka students as defined by the National Law School of India University (NLSIU). Considering the demand from the members across all parties, Law Minister H K Patil promised the House to convene a meeting with the university authorities. 

Congress MLC Anil Kumar raised the issue and alleged that the premier institution was misleading the state government by not giving direct reservation.

“The institute is claiming that it is giving 25 per cent horizontal reservation on compartment basis in the general merit list released as per Common Law Admission Test (CLAT). But, as per the norms it has to provide 25 per cent direct reservation for Karnataka students,” Anil Kumar argued.

He urged the government to verify the reservation given for local students in other states. “The institution is blatantly misleading the government. The government must get the details from other states on the reservation provided to local students at National Law Schools,” he added. The member even highlighted the facilities extended to the institute including land, power etc.

Joining the debate, JD(S) member S L Bhojegowda demanded the state government convene a meeting of MLCs with the Governing Council of the NLSIU. 

Meanwhile, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil defended NLSIU and said, “The relation between the university and the government is cordial now and most of the issues are resolved. In case of any complaints or injustice to any students, we will address the same.”

However, he assured the members of convening a meeting with the university authorities. 

In the reply, the government submitted that in the last five years NLSIU admitted a total of 397 students from Karnataka, of which highest enrollment was for five-year BALLB (Hons) programme (223 students) followed by 90 students for LLM, 51 for 3-year LLB (Hons)  and 33 for Master’s Programme in Public Policy.