BENGALURU: A management representative of a private college affiliated to Bangalore University has alleged that a Local Inquiry Committee which visited the college has recommended its disaffiliation as “punitive action” for going to court on the appointment of government nominees to the university syndicate.
The syndicate meeting held on Wednesday discussed the committee recommendation in the case of BTM First Grade College at Kudlu Gate. In-charge vice-chancellor Prof Muniraju has decided to submit a report to the government.
But college secretary Srinivas B V told Express, “The committee put pressure on the principal to withdraw the case filed in the High Court. As he refused, the committee submitted a negative report.”
There have been complaints against members of the committees seeking bribes from affiliated colleges. At the meeting, the issue was raised by a member nominated by the governor which had led to an argument between him and in-charge vice-chancellor Muniraju. Some colleges have even approached the governor over the issue.
“A month ago, our college principal filed a writ petition in the court questioning the eligibility of government nominees to Bangalore University syndicate. The court issued an emergent notice to the government. The panel then filed a negative recommendation,” Srinivas claimed.
The committee, headed by principal of a private degree college who was a syndicate member then, had visited BTM college and submitted the report. “The committee demanded `2 lakh from the principal and also asked him to withdraw the case,” Srinivas said.
“We have been running a college for 11 years and never received a negative report. All infrastructure, staff, results and other facilities are in line with the university guidelines. After this experience, we submitted a request to the V-C and registrar to send a different one,” he said.
Muniraju admitted that he is getting calls from college authorities about the malpractices by the panels, but no college is giving written complaints. “If I receive written complaints against the panels, I will initiate action,” he added.
The issue
Principal of BTM First Grade College filed a writ petition in the High Court questioning the appointment of government nominees to the varsity syndicate.
He questions the eligibility criteria of these members because the Karnataka State Universities Act says eligible academics should be appointed. He pointed out that none of the nominees are academics but just graduates.