KSOU’s decision to construct building on Samskrit University campus opposed

The decision of Mysuru-based Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) to construct a building worth Rs 25 crore on the campus of Karnataka Samskrit University (KSU), is being opposed by a few activists.

The activists have urged Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala and Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa to direct KSOU Vice-Chancellor S Vidyashankar to withdraw the decision to construct the building of Sanskrit Research Centre on KSU campus at Thippasandra, Magadi taluk, Ramanagar district.

Former member of Board of Management (BoM) of KSOU K S Shivaramu has written a letter to both, the governor and the chief minister, in this regard. It can be recalled that the BoM of KSOU, in a meeting on January 2, decided to construct the building of Sanskrit Research Centre, including a regional centre for itself, at Thippasandra, at a cost of Rs 25 crore.

Shivaramu, also president of Karnataka State Backward Classes Awareness Forum, has urged the Governor, also Chancellor of State universities, to check the misuse of funds that belong to the students of KSOU. It can be noted that the cash-starved KSU was alloted 100 acres of land at Thippasandra a decade ago.

Earlier, Justice K Bhaktavathsala Committee, constituted to probe the irregularities of KSOU, had observed: “The expenditure related to five Regional Centres at a cost of Rs 52.55 crore and the appointment of Regional Directors is not in the interest of KSOU. All steps should be taken to close the Regional Centres and action should be initiated against the persons, who have abused powers to take such decisions.”

Shivaramu said that the Governor, on September 24, 2019, issued an order to KSOU, to take action on the basis of Bhaktavathsala Committee report. “Already, buildings, constructed at a cost of Rs 225 crore, between 2010-15, are lying vacant on Mukthagangotri campus and at Mandakalli in Mysuru. Besides, many more huge buildings of other universities of government departments were used only as Covid Care Centres. As KSOU does not get government funds, it has to be managed only with the fees collected from the students. Diversion of KSOU funds, to create assets for other universities, is not justified,” he said.

The agenda for BoM meeting, on the issue, on January 2, mentioned that Deputy Chief Minister and Higher Education Minister Dr C N Ashwath Narayan, in a letter dated August 31, 2020, had directed to take steps to construct the building for KSU for the implementation of National Education Policy 2020 and also for research and development of Sanskrit.

Shivaramu said that Dr C N Ashwath Narayan was BoM member of KSOU for two terms, from 2009 to 2017, and knows about its irregularities and also the state of affairs. “It is surprising that the minister has mounted such a burden on KSOU, which is already facing hardships, due to low enrolment. If the KSOU wants to build an own regional centre in Bengaluru, it already has a civic amenity (CA) site, alloted by Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA). Why should KSOU invest such a huge amount on the site of a different university, that too in a purely rural area of Thippasandra, where footfall will be less?” he asked.

KSOU VC S Vidyashankar said, “A major portion of the CA site, alloted by BDA, is lost to buffer zone and thus, we are surrendering it. Besides, our present Regional Centres are functioning from rented premises. Thus, we plan to construct the building on the campus of KSU, which will be mainly our Regional Centre.”