Shivamogga

Shivamogga Deputy Commissioner Gurudatt Hegde instructed officers of the universities and departments that run hostels in Shivamogga to declare a holiday for three days from May 18 and vacate the students to accommodate State government employees visiting the city to take part in the State-level sports meet.

The Karnataka State Government Employees’ Association will hold a three-day sports meet and cultural events for the employees from May 18. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is expected to inaugurate the event, and hundreds of employees from across the State will visit the city to participate in the programme.

Based on the request from the association, the Deputy Commissioner has ordered officers of Kuvempu University, Agricultural and Horticultural University at Navule, Departments of Collegiate Education, Social Welfare, Backward Classes, Minorities and Scheduled Tribes Welfare to declare a holiday for hostels.

Following the Deputy Commissioner’s orders, the wardens and officers in charge of hostels are instructing the students to vacate the hostels with their luggage. This has hit many degree students, who are preparing for the semester exams.

Radhakrishna, a final-year BA student, native of Molakalmuru in Chitradurga district, told The Hindu that his viva voce had been scheduled for May 18 and the examinations would start from May 22.

“The officers are asking us to leave the hostel for three days to accommodate the government employees. Where should we go and stay when we have to prepare for the exams?” he asked. Like him, many students are hit by the order.

The principal of a first-grade college in Shivamogga stated that this is the crucial time for students. If they are forced to leave the hostel, they will have difficulties preparing for the examination and attending the viva voce, which is compulsory,” he said.

Sathyanarayana G.T., former president of Tumari Gram Panchayat in Sagar, has said many students from the villages of Sagar taluk called him expressing difficulties over the Deputy Commissioner’s instruction.

He said Mr. Hegde should withdraw the order as students are worried. The government employees can be accommodated in other places, not hostels, he stated.