Assembly passes Bill that proposes to appoint CM as Chancellor of RDPR University, in place of Governor, amid protests

Leaders of the BJP alleged that the Bill is politically motivated and it would create a gap between the State government and the Governor

The Legislative Assembly on Tuesday passed the Karnataka State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj University (Amendment) Bill that proposes to see the Chief Minister of the State as the Chancellor of the university, in place of the Governor, by voice vote, as members of the BJP and the JD(S) staged a walkout.

The Bill piloted by Minister for RDPR Priyank Kharge was condemned by members of the BJP and the JD(S), while Congress members welcomed it. Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok, BJP members C.N. Ashwath Narayan and others in the Opposition benches termed the Bill “a retrograde step” and said it would create a gap between the government and the Governor.

Mr. Kharge, defending the Bill, said, “This is being done to ensure effective administration in coordination with the State government. With the Chief Minister as the Chancellor, the university could improve its efficiency and take up initiatives to enhance the quality of education and research in the university.”

Dr. Ashwath Narayan said the amendment Bill was intended to take away the freedom of the university, instead of making it autonomous. “I would have appreciated the Minister if he had opted to form a board of governors to handle the university. Instead, he is curtailing the powers of the Governor only to have free-hand to appoint the Vice-Chancellor of the university,” he said.

Congress member Sharath Bachche Gowda came in support of the Bill, saying that there had been a delay in appointing Vice- Chancellors to various universities as the Governor had been busy with many responsibilities. The proposed changes would relieve the Governor from the additional burden. He also said that universities in Gujarat had the Chief Minister as the Chancellor.

The contents of the Bill led to a heated debate between members of the Congress and the BJP. Congress members K.M. Shivalinge Gowda and H.C. Balakrishna maintained that the Bill was necessary as the present Governor had been intervening in administrative matters regularly. Finally, the Bill was passed by voice vote.

Published - December 17, 2024 09:08 pm IST