BENGALURU: After stoking controversy by refusing to accept the Higher Education portfolio, G T Devegowda took charge as the Higher Education Minister on Friday. He is among the last ministers in the state cabinet to take charge — after cabinet berths were announced on June 8.
Speaking to the media on Friday, Devegowda said his objective is to provide quality education in rural areas. “Universities, rather than being concentrated in cities, should also extend to rural areas. We should also ensure employment for them by providing vocational training along the lines of Infosys,” he said.
On the controversy that a Class 8 pass was given the Higher Education Department, Devegowda said that despite his education, he has ensured that his children are well-educated. “Similarly, I will ensure that students of the state are given quality education,” he said.
Devegowda, prior to the allocation of cabinet berths, was locked in a battle with JD(S) leader H D Revanna. Both were insistent that they be assigned the coveted portfolios.Devegowda, however, softened his stand later and demanded that he be given the cooperative portfolio, but was allotted higher education. He had reluctantly accepted the cabinet berth after Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy threatened to hold on to Higher Education portfolio, leaving Devegowda from the cabinet.