University Bill imperils autonomy: Experts

Experts at the round table meeting organised by the ABVP on Karnataka State Universities (Amendment) Bill 2017 opined that the Bill will erode the autonomy of universities.

Education expert Prof Sripathi Tantri said that as per the Education Act 1956, the government should not directly release grants for higher education. “The UGC was set up to ensure that the universities have autonomy and do not come under the aegis of a government or an individual. The Bill will deprive the universities of such autonomy and will give more control to the state government,” he explained.

S P Chengappa, former president, Mangaluru Bar Association, said the Karnataka State Universities Act, 1976, should be reintroduced with a few changes. Varsities should have three types of councils.

ABVP state secretary Harsha Narayana said the state government has not consulted education experts, think-tanks or stakeholders on the amendment. “The amendment is against the UGC Act. The government should withdraw the amendment,” he said.