Tue Feb 18 15:36:49 UTC 2025: ## Karnataka Congress Leader Calls for Closure of Nine New Universities
**Mysuru, Karnataka –** The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has called for the closure or merger of nine universities established during the BJP’s tenure. KPCC spokesperson H.A. Venkatesh, speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, criticized the universities’ creation as lacking proper planning and driven by electoral considerations rather than academic needs.
Venkatesh, a former Syndicate member of the University of Mysore, highlighted the absence of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for the new universities. He stated that the institutions failed to meet University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations regarding land area, course offerings, student numbers, and faculty requirements. He cited examples of universities established near existing, well-established institutions, resulting in unnecessary duplication and resource depletion.
The lack of a designated overseeing officer during the establishment process was also criticized. Venkatesh argued that the government’s failure to provide adequate resources and infrastructure has led to dwindling student enrollment and operational difficulties, threatening the viability of both the new and established universities. He proposed that the government instead focus on strengthening existing institutions.
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