Waking up to encroachment of its properties and having no funds to secure them, the Department of Collegiate Education (DCE) has sought help from Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Ltd. (KRIDL).
The department manages planning, administration and funding of 411 government and 321 private aided colleges across the State, with the help of six regional offices at Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru, Shivamogga, Dharwad, and Kalaburagi. The DCE noticed encroachments of government college land at Hesaraghatta, Kengeri and Bangarpet in Kolar district. K.R. Ravikumar, Regional Joint Director (additional charge) of Bengaluru region, DCE, and principal of Maharani’s Arts, Commerce and Management College for Women, said government funds for infrastructure were spent on building or improving classrooms and toilets. Asked about the types of encroachments, he said they ranged from the public constructing buildings, to even those who are “politically influential” encroaching upon land. “But nothing has been done about building compound walls. That is why we are asking KRIDL to help plant trees and fence government college properties so that they are not encroached upon. This should be taken up on priority in colleges where there are no compound walls,” he said.
