Karnataka State Govt to have powers in VTU affairs

The Legislative Council passed the Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) Amendment bill 2013, which proposes additional powers to the Karnataka State Government in university affairs. The VTU amendment bill will pave way for higher education minister (pro-chancellor) to become powerful in affairs of VTU in place of governor (Chancellor).

The Higher education minister C T Ravi, who directed the bill, said the state govt shall declare any order, notification, resolution of any meetings of the executive council, academic senate or any other body if the university as the proposed amendments.

CT Ravi also Said, "We read the governor's order regarding VTU only through media, though the media had highlighted the irregularities in VTU, the government wad helpless to take action. Like any other university, the elected body should have powers over VTU,"

"An inquiry committee constituted for this purpose will have to give report within three months and action will be initiated within a month after the report is submitted," Ravi said.

Even in matter of appointing vice-chancellors, the governor should take the consent of the government before the appointment, The governor, who had the power to extend the tern of VC for one or more years after a three term, can't do it now. The government has fixed four year tern for the VCs in future.

The government will appoint registrar to the university. The governor's power to nominate six persons to VTU has been take away. The amendment empowers the chancellor to nominate only two, while govt has powers to nominate six persons.

The legislative assembly also passed three private university bills, Presidency University Bill, New Baldwin University Bill and CMR university Bill. Besides, the assembly passed another bill for bifurcation of Bangalore University.

The private university bills were passed despite stiff opposition from the members of the opposition parties. Members expressed fear that private universities may compromise on the quality of education and that there should be proper control mechanism to regulate their activities.

However, the higher education minister argued the govt has put a proper control system in place to regulate their activities. The bill seek to give only in-principle approval to set up private universities. Once they fulfill the guidelines laid down by the state government then only they get the complete university status.