Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Universities Bill was approved by the Assembly on Tuesday amidst a walkout by the Opposition BJP.
According to the BJP and JD(S), the bill may help the state government indirectly control universities under their ambit rather than providing more freedom to these knowledge centres. While rebutting the opposition’s allegations, higher education minister, Basavaraj Raya Reddy who piloted the bill, asserted that the government was not interested in taking control of universities and only wanted to make them more accountable. “Haven’t we heard of corruption in universities? I do not wish to name anyone here, there was a vice-chancellor, who spent several lakhs just for the renovation of his office. As of now, there is no accountability when it comes to spending funds. The bill will help the state government keep an eye on unwanted expenditure,” the minister argued.
While lashing out at the ruling party, former minister and BJP leader, Govind Karjol charged that the government was trying to usurp the Governor’s role in the guise of piloting this bill. “The Governor is capable of monitoring unwanted expenditure, mentioned by the minister.
