Won’t shut down KSOU, says Siddaramaiah

‘Will write to HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar to restore recognition to varsity’

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said his government will not close down Karnataka State Open University (KSOU), which is awaiting recognition from the University Grants Commission (UGC) for over two years.

Speaking to reporters after receiving a memorandum from KSOU employees at his residence here, the Chief Minister said he will write to Human Resources Development Minister Prakash Javadekar to restore recognition to KSOU since the UGC was under the Centre. He said a decision had been taken to make use of KSOU funds elsewhere to avoid a VTU-like situation. This doesn’t mean the staff of KSOU will be transferred, he said.

JD(S) blames Rayaraddi

Meanwhile, the Opposition Janata Dal (Secular) MLCs have blamed Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayaraddi for the mess in KSOU and alleged that he was trying to swindle ₹600 crore by making efforts to close the university. Marithibbe Gowda, Basaraja Horatti, Puttanna, and K.T. Srikante Gowda, MLCs, alleged that Mr. Rayaraddi was making no efforts to get recognition for the university from the UGC. Mr. Javadekar too has made no efforts to provide UGC recognition, they alleged.