D.H. Shankaramurthy

Bangalore: The State Government is open to the idea of introducing a Common Entrance Test for admission to postgraduate courses (PGCET) in universities, according to Minister for Higher Education D.H. Shankaramurthy. The recommendation for a PGCET was made at a recent meeting of the Inter-University Board.

Mr. Shankaramurthy told presspersons here on Tuesday that he would meet MLCs representing graduates' and the teachers' constituencies on June 2 to seek their opinion on the proposal. The Inter-University Board would take a final decision.

The PGCET has been opposed by sections of students on the grounds that the syllabus varied from one university to the other.

Steps against ragging

The Minister said the State Government had decided to take firm action against ragging in professional colleges. Managements would be directed to take serious note of incidents of ragging. The police too would be involved in curbing the practice in educational institutions within their jurisdiction, he said. All recommendations made by the Supreme Court on the need to curb ragging would be implemented in letter and spirit, he said.

The State brought in legislation in 1997 making ragging a criminal offence. Offenders can be booked under the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Police Act.

Mr. Shankaramurthy said he would summon a meeting of managements of educational institutions, senior police officials and officials of the Education Department to finalise the steps that need to be taken.

On Labour Minister Iqbal Ansari stating that Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy would continue as the Chief Minister even after the stipulated 20 months for the Janata Dal (S) to be at the helm, he said he was confident that the JD(S) would abide by the commitment given to the Bharatiya Janata Party.

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