Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has made it clear that the Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) will not be bifurcated. Instead, an institute superior to any Indian Institute of Technology will come up soon in Hassan.
The decision on bifurcation, proposed in the State budget, had faced stiff resistance from many stakeholders, ranging from students to politicians, particularly from North Karnataka. It was argued that it was under pressure from Public Works Minister H.D. Revanna that the decision was taken.
Speaking after laying foundation stones for construction of hospitals in Hassan, Mr. Kumaraswamy referred to the opposition to the plan by people of north Karnataka. “They are thinking that we are bifurcating VTU to benefit the southern part of the State. But we do not have any such intention, and I have decided to drop the idea,” he said.
A world-class educational institute would come up in Hassan soon. The State government would provide funds for the institute and it would commence operations by the next academic year, he added.
Preetham Gowda, Hassan MLA, did not attend any of the Chief Minister’s programmes.
The other day, Janata Dal (Secular) supporters had staged a protest against the MLA over his alleged remarks on JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda.
