Date:18/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/18/stories/2006051822720400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Meeting on law on admission soon

Staff Reporter

Shankaramurthy to contact Higher Education Ministers of other States

BANGALORE: The State will convene a meeting of Higher Education Ministers of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Maharashtra on the need to formulate a law on admissions to professional courses.

Minister for Higher Education D.H. Shankaramurthy told presspersons here on Wednesday that he would contact the Ministers concerned of the neighbouring States shortly and convene a meeting in Bangalore. The meeting would be helpful in sorting out the issue in the wake of the Supreme Court's observation about the absence of a Central legislation. The Centre had circulated a draft legislation, which had not been heard of later, he added.

Considering the plight of the States facing similar problems in the matter of admissions to professional courses, it would be wise to discuss the issue and then meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other authorities concerned to press for a Central law.

On the criticism by former Chief Minister M. Veerappa Moily, Mr. Shankaramurthy said that it was shocking that a person of his stature expected a Minister to overlook the Supreme Court's ruling.

Owing to the legalities involved and his limitations as a Minister he did his best in introducing the Karnataka Professional Educational Institutions (Regulation of Admission and Determination of Fee) Act, 2006 to help meritorious students.