While members of the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) see no problem with the passage of a Bill on Azim Premji University, they have opposed the same on the Alliance University without any discussion in the House.
Two Bills to set up two private universities in the State were passed in the Assembly last Friday amid protests.
As soon as the House met, the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) members staged a dharna in front of the Speaker's podium against the passage of the Alliance University Bill 2010, and sought a detailed discussion on the Bill. Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah said many members were unaware of the background, reputation and contribution of the Alliance School in the field of education. The Government would set a bad precedent by passing the Bill without giving an opportunity to members to speak on it, he said.
The Union Government had deferred the introduction of the Bill on nuclear liability in the Lok Sabha. Similarly, in the interests of the public and quality education, the Government should reconsider its decision on the Bill, he said.
‘Passed in haste'
D.K Shivakumar (Congress) said the Bill was passed in a hasty manner and the Government should not ignore the basic infrastructure required to set up the university. The Government had decided to set up the university on a caste basis, he alleged.
Mr. Siddaramaiah and his deputy, T.B. Jayachandra, and Bandeppa Kashempur of the Janata Dal (Secular) demanded that it be referred to a Joint Select Committee of the legislature.
Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa said the Bill had already been passed and there was no precedent in the House to discuss the Bill again. As the Opposition continued its dharna, Speaker K.G. Bopaiah adjourned the House for a few minutes. The Speaker chaired a meeting with ruling and Opposition leaders and arrived a consensus on the issue.
As soon as the House met again, the Speaker announced that the Government had assured them that their concerns over the Bill would be taken into consideration when it would come up for the debate in the Legislative Council. Following this, the Opposition withdrew the dharna.
