Controversy erupts over K'taka govt's 15% NRI quota decision

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: Allamaprabhu Bettaduru, Writer and President of the All India Save Education Committee (AISEC) Karnataka has criticised the Karnataka state government's recent decision to introduce an NRI quota in government medical colleges.

In a statement released to the media, Bettaduru condemned the move as a betrayal of democratic principles and a threat to the integrity of public institutions.

The Karnataka government's proposal seeks to reserve 15 per cent supernumerary MBBS seats in government medical colleges for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Bettaduru feels this is a form of virtual auctioning of seats to the wealthy.

He argued that such actions undermine the foundational values of democratic education, jeopardise the quality and standards of medical education, and compromise public health.

"Government institutions are not the private property of any government or political party," Bettaduru stated, emphasising that these institutions are built through the contributions of millions of citizens.

He accused the state government of pursuing a path towards full commercialisation and privatisation of government medical colleges and hospitals, which he views as detrimental to public interests.

The AISEC leader called upon the government to prioritise public welfare over corporate interests, suggesting measures such as cutting wasteful expenditures and taxing business entities to fund improvements in government institutions.