Karnataka: Bill tabled for comprehensive legislation for varsities under govt's purview

A bill aimed at providing for a comprehensive legislation for all universities under the purview of Department of Higher Education in Karnataka was tabled in the Assembly on Wednesday.

It also aims tao replace several acts in force for establishing such universities.

The bill tabled by Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayareddi states that presently there are seven universities acts in force and each one differs in its functioning and is considered necessary to bring uniformity in monitoring of these universities by the state government. It said the new legislation aims at consolidating and enhancing the performance and to bring uniformity in administration of all state universities but by retaining their special characters in academic attainment, research, extension and related activities.

"The bill brings together all the state universities existing under the purview of Department of Higher Education under one umbrella to ensure that there are common rules to be followed by all of them regarding their administration and functioning," the bill in its statement of objects and reasons said. The bill also proposes "significant" changes like search-cum-selection committee for appointment of Vice- Chancellors consists of eminent academicians, the senate, syndicate or executive council renamed as executive council and common recruitment board, among others.

It also clearly states that the Chancellor shall exercise all the powers in consultation with the state government for uniform, speedy and effective decision making. Among the other bills tabled in the Assembly on Wednesday include Karnataka State Higher Education Council (Amendment) Bill, Karnataka Rajya Dr Gangubai Hanagal Sangeetha Mattu Pradarshaka Kalegala Vishwavidyalaya (Amendment) Bill, and Karnataka Compulsory Service Training By Candidates Completed Medical Courses (Amendment) Bill.