K'taka govt to shut 9 new universities; Bidar varsity to escape axe

IANS February 14, 2025 627 views

The Karnataka government is set to close nine newly established universities after finding most are non-functional. The decision comes after a detailed review by a Cabinet subcommittee led by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Only the Bidar University will continue operations due to its robust infrastructure and 150 affiliated colleges. The move highlights significant challenges in establishing and maintaining new higher education institutions in the state.

"These kinds of universities have started for the first time in the country." - Basavaraj Bommai, Former Karnataka CM
Bengaluru, Feb 14: The Karnataka government will bring the shutters down on nine of the 10 new universities that were established during the tenure of the BJP government after it was found that only one of them was fully-functional, sources confirmed on Friday.

Key Points

1

Karnataka Cabinet decides to close 9 new universities due to infrastructure challenges

2

Bidar University remains operational with 150 affiliated colleges

3

Each university required Rs 342 crore for full establishment

4

Decision made by Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar's subcommittee

The decision in this regard was taken in the Cabinet subcommittee meeting headed by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday and the subject was discussed in detail.

According to sources, the subcommittee has decided to continue the Bidar University as it is a fully functional university and has 150 affiliated colleges and is functioning efficiently by generating good income.

Sources said the decision to shut the other nine that are yet to take off was taken in the backdrop of the lack of availability of land and funds to develop infrastructure for the new universities.

There is a requirement of a minimum of 100 acres and maximum of 200 acres of land for the establishment of each new university.

Setting up each university will require funds to the tune of Rs 342 crore for operations, purchase of furniture, vehicles and others.

Sources stated that the universities of Hassan, Chamarajanagar, Haveri, Kodagu, Koppal, Bagalkot, Maharani Cluster in Bengaluru, Mandya and Nrupatunga are most likely to be shut down following the decision.

However, the government has decided to continue with the Bidar University as it is a fully functional university and has 150 affiliated colleges and is generating good income.

The committee also considered the factor of requirement of huge funds from the government for fully setting up and running the remaining nine universities.

Former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had inaugurated nine universities in the state ahead of Assembly elections on March 23, 2023.

"All the new universities that were opened today are the future-writing centres," Bommai had declared.

"These kinds of universities have started for the first time in the country. In the coming days, everyone will adopt the Karnataka model. In the country, higher education means IIT and the selection for that is through CET. The children of Karnataka must have access to the IIT model education," Basavaraj Bommai had said.

Reports recently highlighted about the dire shortage of teaching and non-teaching staff in public universities across Karnataka and as many as 10 of them not having a single permanent employee in their category.

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Karnataka Universities Basavaraj Bommai D.K. Shivakumar Higher Education University Closure
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