Karnataka legislature clears Azim Premji Unversity Bill

The decks have been cleared for the first private university in Karnataka to be set up with the passing of the Azim Premji Univesity Bill, 2010 today. The opposition, however staged a walk out in protest.

The amended bill had been passed by the state assembly by voice vote on 12 March.

Opposition members belonging to the Congress and the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) voiced concerns over the desirability of the private university that will function under no regulatory mechanism and have a fee structure outside government control and guidelines.

Addressing the apprehensions of the opposition, state higher education minister, Aravind Limbavali said the bill had been introduced after prior detailed evaluation and verification under the University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines.

"In accordance with the provisions of the bill, the state governor has the authority to seek any file from the private university and the state government can intervene in the event of any malpractice or dispute," Limbavali said.

Limbavali assured the house that the proposed university being promoted by Wipro chief Azim Premji would reserve 25 per cent of seats for students and teaching faculty from the state. He added that the institution aimed to provide education on par with global standards.