State retracts decision of PGCET

Bangalore, July 12 (UNI) Bowing to the pressure of both members of the opposition and treasury benches, the Karnataka government today announced that it had withdrawn its earlier decision to hold Common Entrance Test (CET) for admissions into Post Graduate Courses in the Universities of the state.

Speaking at the Legislative Council Karnataka Higher Eduction Minister and House Leader D H Shankara Murthy informed that taking cognizance of the apprehensions on the government's move on conducting PGCET by the majority of the members, the decision had been withdrawn.

The minister, prior to make the announcement of the decision, tried in vain to convince the members that it was aimed to benefit the students of rural areas. Refuting the charges that he had tried to push the contentious issue, the minister said that he only tried to implement the proposal of the previous government on the issue.

Earlier JD(S) member K S Puttannaiah, raised the issue as soon as the house assembled and urged the state government to withdraw its decision. He said that if CET was conducted poor students will be hit hard while it also invaded the autonomy of the Universities. He rushed to the well of the house and joined other members who were already staging a dharna since yesterday in protest against the government's decision.

Opposition leader H K Patil of the Congress, also urged the state government to review its decision on holding CET and suggested to constitute a review-commission to look into the matter before introducing it.

Congress member V S Ugrappa demanded constitution of a house-committee to decide on the issue. BJP's Shashil Namoshi also criticised the state government's decision, expressing fears that students from backward areas would lose their chance for perusing higher education.

Following announcement from the state government, the agitating members Marithibbe Gowda, G K Patil, Y A Narayana Swam (All Ind), Srikantegowda and K S Puttannaiah (JD-S) withdraw their dharna from the well of the house and resumed their seats.

It may be recalled that consequent to state government's decision the process of holding PGCET was entrusted to Mysore University. It had announced July 20 as the date of CET. Over three lakh students across the state were preparing to appear the CET for getting admissions into 11 courses.

UNI