Karnataka to seek Rs 3,000-cr WB loan to improve govt educational institutions

The state government will seek a Rs 3,000-crore loan from the World Bank to improve basic facilities at government degree colleges, government engineering colleges and polytechnics and state universities.

Higher Education Minister Basvaraj Rayareddi said a survey had already been done in 412 government colleges on basic facilities.

A meeting will be convened on Tuesday in which vice-chancellors of all universities have been asked to prepare a report on basic facilities in their respective institutions.

The final report will be prepared by the government and will include details like land availability, basic facilities, number of principals, teaching staff, etc.

“All this will be part of a master plan to improve these institutions. We are hopeful that the final report will be prepared in another 15 days,” said Rayareddi. 

Tamper-proof marks card
Soon, marks cards and degree certificates of college students in the state will be made tamper-proof by using a brand of security paper of the Mysore Sales International Ltd (MSIL) that has various security features.

“The marks cards will be tear-proof and water-resistant,” Rayareddi said. A number of other plans of the department were also announced. 

State varsities under 1 Act
He also spoke about bringing all state universities under one common act, the ‘Karnataka Universities Comprehensive Act’.

“Presently, each university is governed by its own act. The common act will bring all of them under one set of rules and streamline processes like appointment of syndicates and vice chancellors,” the minister said.

Rayareddi highlighted that the ratio of those joining undergraduate courses from Hyderabad-Karnataka region is very low and efforts will be made to address this issue.

“In Karnataka, the GER (gross enrolment ratio) is 24% while in the Hyderabad-Karnataka region it is only 10%,” said Rayareddi.

A committee under Prof B G Mulimani, former Gulbarga University vice-chancellor, has already submitted its report.

A decision was also taken to merge the Karnataka State Gangubai Hangal Music and Performing Arts University and Sri Allamaprabhu Lalithakala Academy.

Rayareddi hits back at HDK over VCs’ row
Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayareddi on Sunday hit out at JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy accusing him of  speaking “half truths” and indulging in “hit-and-run politics”.
Kumaraswamy on Friday last had taken exception to Rayareddi calling vice chancellors “dacoits” and sought to know what action had been taken against them.
Rayareddi said he had spoken about the falling standards in society, including higher education. But Kumaraswamy had made uncalled for remarks against him, Rayareddi said.
The minister pointed out that FIRs had been filed against two former vice chancellors of Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) K S Rangappa and M G Krishnan for irregularities in the university during their tenures. Rangappa is now vice chancellor of  University of Mysuru. More such irregularities will surface soon, he said.
He said the government will write to Governor Vajubhai Vala seeking his recommendations on action to be taken against former VTU vice chancellor H Maheshappa. Vala had suspended Maheshappa in March this year. The move followed a report submitted by an inquiry committee headed by Justice K N Keshava Narayana finding Maheshappa guilty of financial irregularities, among others.