Oppn sponsored amendment defeated

BANGALORE: The Opposition sponsored amendment to the Karnataka State Universities (amendment) Bill, 2003 -- that seeks to establish a women''s university in the state -- was defeated by a margin of eleven votes.
Moving the amendment, M P Prakash (AIPJD) said the government cannot restrict to 12 districts the women''s university''s territorial jurisdiction to grant affiliation to women''s colleges.It should be extended to cover all districts and hence an amendment is required to the Bill.
The Bill said the university''s territorial jurisdiction to grant affiliation operates in Bagalkot, Belgaum, Bellary, Bidar, Bijapur, Dharwad, Gadag, Gulbarga, Haveri, Koppal, Raichure and Uttara Kannada districts. The unitary functions of the university to promote research extends to the entire state.
"The Bill is only a cosmetic touch to address the problems of women''s issues and correct regional imbalances. Only when the territorial jurisdiction is extended to the entire state will the university serve some purpose," he said.
Defending the Bill, higher education minister G Parameshwara said the territorial jurisdiction to grant affiliation was restricted based on the experience of other women''s universities.
"The Padmavathy University in Tirupati also affiliates women''s colleges of a few districts. We felt other districts could be included depending on how the university grows in the coming few years," he said.
The government does not believe that regional imbalances can be removed with this Bill. "But, it is a small step towards eradicating the imbalances," he said.
The university, presently housed in rented and other government buildings, would be shifted to a 200-acre campus and Rs five crore has been set aside. "The university has already invited applications for courses for 2003-2004 and will offer courses in law, management, physical education, education, social sciences, fine arts and performing arts. The university will begin functioning from 2003-2004," he said.
Not satisfied with the reply, Prakash insisted that the amendment be put to vote. The amendment was defeated by eleven votes with 33 votes opposing the amendment and 22 votes favouring the amendment.
The Bill replaces an ordinance promulgated to facilitate establishing of the university.