Siddu allocates Rs 230 cr for laptops to SC-ST varsity students

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday disclosed that he had ordered the allocation of Rs 230 crore in order to provide laptops to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students enrolled in universities.

This decision was taken at a meeting of vice chancellors (VCs) of universities under the purview of the State government and senior officials of the higher education department.

The CM instructed the Principal Secretary of the Social Welfare Department P Manivannan to allocate the amount under the Scheduled Castes Sub-Allocation and Tribal-Sub Allocation Plan (SCSP/TSP).

The CM was informed that there were more than 50 per cent vacancies against sanctioned posts in Universities and only 1,882 posts are filled.

The VCs and officers brought to the notice of Siddaramaiah that the salaries of 2,865 guest lecturers are being paid from the resources of the universities, which is a financial burden on them.

Even though the old universities are divided, only the old universities are disbursing pension. Due to this, the financial burden of old universities has increased.

An allocation of Rs 5,470 crore is made in the budget and there is a shortfall of Rs 2,474 crores, officers explained. Siddaramaiah was sceptical about establishing new Universities, while allocation was decreasing.

On the other hand, the recurring cost was increasing. “How can we expect quality education from this?” he asked.