Centre should fund state varsities

Karnataka minister wants union govt to assist states in meaningful ways, rather than stripping them of their powers

- PRAVEENA S A @Chennai

Priyank Kharge, Karnataka's minister for Electronics, IT, Biotechnology, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, denounced the new University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines, and said if the UGC or the central government wants to impose its will, it should begin by funding state universities, in a session titled "INDIA and Congress: State of Suspension?" during day two of the ThinkEdu Conclave 2025 on Tuesday.

Addressing the central government, Kharge said, "You neither support us in any form nor should you take away our powers...When students face issues like inadequate hostel food, they don't protest in front of the Governor, the President, or the Prime Minister. They approach the state Higher Education Minister. Yet, you neither assist us in any meaningful way, but instead, seek to strip us of all powers."