BANGALORE: When the entire nation is gearing up for Republic Day celebrations on Thursday, the Department of Collegiate Education (DCE) is neither celebrating nor hoisting the tricolour flag. Reportedly, the Department does not have its own building to hoist flag.
The DCE, which began with 16 colleges under its belt, now has 356 government colleges, 290 aided colleges and more than 1,000 unaided colleges with around 25,000 teachers. “This is the first time the Department is not celebrating the national festival since its inception in 1960,” sources told Express. According to sources, the DCE Commissioner, who has the privilege of hoisting the flag, is not interested in celebrating the national festival. “When a letter from chief minister came to the DCE’s office seeking opinion to shift in to new premises, commissioner had replied that they have already given way to state Election Commission office. “It is not just unfortunate, but shameful act, being the department which directs colleges is not celebrating the national festival,” the official said.
Sources also blamed the higher authorities including Principal Secretary of Higher Education Latha Krishna Rao and former director Prof Kodandaramiah for the pathetic state of the department. “Higher Education Minister Dr V S Acharya also did not take interest in retaining the heritage building which was built for the principal of Maharani College in 1936,” the official said.