BENGALURU: The state government has formed a new committee, headed by Chief Secretary Kaushik Mukherjee, to look into issues concerning amendments to the Karnataka Professional Educational Institutions (Regulation of Admissions and Determination of Fee) Act of 2006 and submit a report.
Speaking to the media after a meeting convened by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday to elicit the opinions of all the ministers, Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil, said, “The committee will consider all issues raised during CET (Common Entrance Test) 2014.”
He also said the government plans to table the amendments before the Belagavi session of the legislature scheduled to be held from December 9. “If the committee cannot submit its report by that time, we will place it before the joint session to be held in January,” Patil said. The minister said the major concerns are not to increase the fees for professional courses and to maintain status quo on government quota seats. “The amendments will be student-friendly,” he added.
Higher Education Minister R V Deshpande and Sharan Prakash Patil have been holding a series of meetings with the stakeholders. Last week, they met representatives of students’ organisations, parents and students. On Tuesday, they had meetings with management representatives.
The committee has also been asked to consider similar Acts in other states. “We have even consulted opposition parties and they have given their suggestions,” said Patil. Deshpande said, “Another aspect that will be be considered is the financial burden on the government. For instance, we are already spending over `35 crore towards CET fees for SC, ST and OBC students.”