UAS urges amendment to Agriculture Universities Act

Bangalore, Jun 4 (UNI) University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) Vice-Chancellor P G Chengappa today appealed to the Karnataka government to bring in a necessary amendment to the Agriculture Universities Act to enable private sector to establish Agriculture science institutions in the state.

Talking to newspersons here, Mr Chengappa said Karnataka was one of the few states in India which did not allow private sectors to establish Agriculture educational institutions. Neighbouring states had brought in necessary amendment to the Act, he added.

In Maharashtra over 20 private institutions had come up in Agriculture sciences. Similarly, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh governments also allowed private players to enter into this sector, he said.

The Vice-Chancellor said UAS Bangalore had sent a proposal to the state government on the issue. Many private players including JSS Institution Mysore, SDM Dharmasthala and Adi Chunchanagiri educational trusts had shown interest to start agriculture institutions.

Dr Chengappa said UAS, in its attempt to attract more rural students and farming community, had amended the existing rules for getting admissions into various courses in its campuses across 15 districts.

The admissions would be given on the basis of the marks obtained in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics (PCM) and any other fourth subject in Pre- University Certificate. So far, only students with PCM and Biology were eligible to secure Under Graduate seats in its campuses, he added.

Dr Chengeppa said that from this academic year two new Bachelor Courses would also be introduced in Food Science and Agriculture Biotechnology.

UNI