State retracts decision on PGCET

Bangalore, July 12 (UNI) Bowing to the pressure from both members of the opposition and treasury benches, the Karnataka Government today announced that it had withdrawn its earlier decision to hold Common Entrance Test (CET) for admissions into Post Graduate Courses in the Universities of the State.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 cognisance of the apprehensions of the Government's move on conducting PGCET by the majority of the members, the decision had been withdrawn.

The minister, prior making 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 Government to withdraw its decision.

Mr Puttannaiah said 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 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 Government's decision, expressing fears that students from backward areas would lose their chance to pursue higher education.

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

Consequent to the Government's decision, the process of holding PGCET was entrusted to Mysore University. It had announced July 20 as the date. Over three-lakh students across the state were to appear for CET to get admissions into eleven courses.

UNI