I am not here to compromise: Patil

HUBLI: Karnataka State Law University (KSLU), having 87 law colleges affiliated to it, has completed two years. 'The Times of India' spoke to vice-chancellor J S Patil on the journey, which is replete with challenges faced by the university, and those by the VC itself. Excerpts from the interview.
It's been two years and still KSLU is functioning with temporary staff.Why is it so?
The government, in spite of sanctioning 68 teaching and 72 non-teaching staff in 2009, is yet to give clearance for recruiting them.
Have you taken up the matter with the minister concerned?
I have explained to minister Suresh Kumar several times that it's difficult to run the university with skeletal staff and without regular staff. One person is doing the work of 4-5 people. Efficiency is taking a beating.
The university is yet have its own building?
Of the Rs 10 crore that we got last year, about Rs 2.2 crore has been spent for a site in Bangalore. With the rest of the money, we had planned to build a bungalow for VC, a library and a law school. But with government not clearing the design of those buildings on time, the funds got lapsed.
Why has the clearance not been given?
It's because of too much interference by the government. It frequently changes its decisions, making us impossible to take up development activities. The autonomy status accorded to the university has no meaning.
You assumed office with great expectations. But things are not happening as expected.
I think it is the Gandhian philosophy, which I practise, which may have come in the way. I think I'm not compromising with my ideals.
What is the actual problem?
The minister blames me for everything. He wants me to adjust with the registrar. But I'm not ready to become another Raja or Kanimozhi (accused in the 2G spectrum scam) or Suresh (Kalmadi, accused in CWG scam). I have a clean image and have not come here to compromise or adjust.
What about the rift between you and registrar Vijaykumar Gogi?
He acts as a stumbling block to anything and everything. If I want to do something, he will put a spanner in it. He may be a good forest officer, but he absolutely knows nothing about education.
What's next?
I'm frustrated, and seriously considering resigning. I'm consulting people like (educationist) H S Doreswamy, (writer-activist) Patil Puttappa, (former minister) H K Patil and others. I will take an appropriate decision soon.
Don't you think you are giving up too early?
There is no point in sticking to the chair, just for the sake of perks like car, etc. There is absolutely no co-operation from the government, and the university has not even moved ahead in terms of infrastructure.