In the light of State-run universities reporting financial distress even to pay salaries and pensions, the State government is contemplating dividing the liabilities among the universities that have been created after bifurcation. Rationalisation of posts between universities is among the proposal before the government to fill vacancies in the universities.

“When the universities were bifurcated, no one thought about the liabilities and new universities did not carry any liabilities. Some bifurcated universities are doing well financially and the government is contemplating transferring some of the liabilities to the new universities,” Higher Education Minister M.C. Sudhakar told the Legislative Council in response to a question from BJP member S.V. Sankanur. He said that the government cannot support universities continuously.

The member had raised the issue of financial distress in universities and also the huge vacancies in teaching and non-teaching staff posts. “As much as 65% of teaching and 80% of non-teaching staff posts are vacant. Research work has come to a standstill and how can you provide quality education?” he asked.

Rationalise posts

In response, the Minister acknowledged that there are 2,800 vacant teaching posts across universities. “There is a need to rationalise posts. Some of them have been created without approval of the Finance Department. We cannot fill all posts in one go. It will be filled in stages.”

A Cabinet sub-committee is also looking to provide a comprehensive solution to the ills, including financial problems, that plague the universities, he said, adding that there is a need to cut down in unnecessary expenditure in the universities.

One of the reasons for financial distress, Dr. Sudhakar pointed out, was that earlier all universities were generating some income by offering distance education to students.

“However, after establishment of Karnataka State Open University, the other universities lost out on the income. Now, we are discussing certain amendments to Karnataka State Universities Act to strengthen State-run universities.”