Govt issues order on trifurcation of Bangalore University

The state government on Friday has ordered the trifurcation of Bangalore University. Bangalore University (Central) and Bangalore University (North) Universities have been carved out of Bangalore University.

The BU will function from Jnanabharathi Campus, while BU (Central) from Central College. The BU (North) will start functioning from a campus to be built at Amaravathi near Devanahalli. The state government has allocated Rs 15 crore to BU (North) and Rs 10 crore to BU (Central).

Bangalore University has affiliation of more than 625 colleges. The process of appointing new vice chancellors, recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff, identification of land and related activities will begin from Saturday, marking the birth of two new universities. On July 17, 2015, the Karnataka Legislative Assembly passed the Karnataka State Universities Act, 2000 (Karnataka Act 29 of 2001), to bring reforms in the governance and administration of the Bangalore University and improve academic quality by trifurcating it.

Meanwhile, a meeting of senior officials of Higher Education department on Friday decided to call for separate admissions for all three universities. Earlier, Bangalore University had called for admissions for the new academic year leading to speculation whether the university will be trifurcated or not.
Probe against former VC

The Higher Education Ministry has ordered an enquiry into allegations against former vice-chancellor of Bangalore University Dr B Thimmegowda,  N Puttaswamy, an engineer and other staff.

The Principal Secretary (Higher Education) has written to the registrar, Bangalore University in this regard. The government order comes in the wake of Karnataka Rajya Shikshana Vedike president K Gangadhar Murthy’s complaint into the irregularities during Gowda’s tenure.

According to Murthy, the five major allegations include economic irregularities, corruption in construction projects, advance promotion of Dr M Narayanaswamy in violation of norms, facilitating 18 students to obtain MEd programme illegally and dereliction of duty in maintaining attendance of second semester MEd students in 2014-15.

Besides, Gowda, Murthy has named syndicate members and Dr Hasin Taj, former chairman, education studies department in the complaint.

Murthy has sought either a CCB or CID or judicial enquiry in the allegations.