Latest news with #MCSudhakar
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
City Briefs: Rs. 2600 crore loan for technical education
Asian Development Bank In order to bolster technical education in the state, the government has approved a loan of Rs 2600 crore from the(ADB), said Higher Education Minister Dr MC Sudhakar. He added that officials from Asian Development Bank have already visited various technical institutions in the state for assessments, and the loan disbursement is expected to take place soon. The financial support is aimed at strengthening polytechnic and other technical colleges in Karnataka. Additionally, the minister informed that the committee led by Sukhadeo Thorat, tasked with formulating a new education policy for the state, has completed its work. The report is expected to be submitted to the Chief Minister in the second week of June, paving the way for the implementation of a new state education state government has issued an official order hiring 4,689 guest lecturers for government Pre-University (PU) colleges across Karnataka for the academic year 2025– Department of Pre-University Education had earlier submitted a proposal to the government requesting permission to hire 5,752 guest lecturers to address the shortage of teaching staff in PU colleges. The proposal also sought the release of funds to pay honoraria for these guest faculty members. After a detailed review of available records and subject-wise vacancies, the government has approved the hiring of 4,689 guest lecturers to fill posts across various disciplines. This decision has been formally communicated through an order issued by the Under Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department has ordered that certain food safety officers be relieved of their current duties and sent back to their parent department due to a lack of prescribed qualifications. According to recruitment rules laid down by the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department, Food Safety Officers must hold specific educational credentials. A recent review, however, revealed that several officers currently serving in the role do not meet these academic standards. This raises serious concerns, especially since Food Safety Officers are responsible for filing cases in court related to unsafe or substandard absence of technically qualified personnel may jeopardise legal proceedings and weaken the enforcement of food safety laws. In response, the department issued a directive signed by the Under Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department stating that retaining under-qualified officers could hinder effective prosecution. The order mandates their immediate withdrawal, underlining the importance of compliance with regulatory norms for safeguarding public a major crackdown, the Women's Protection Wing of the Central Crime Branch (CCB), Bengaluru, raided a warehouse on Kanakapura Main Road under Talaghattapura Police limits on May 31, 2025. Acting on a tip-off, the team seized banned tobacco and nicotine products worth `61.82 lakh. Two individuals were arrested, and a cargo truck used for transporting the items was also seized. The haul included 701 packets of tobacco, 155 bags of Ganesh 60 SGT-1 tobacco boxes, 160 Cool Lip sachets, and Swagath Pan Masala. The accused admitted to illegally possessing and selling the products. Further investigation is underway.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Karnataka's NEP alternative: Thorat panel to submit report by mid-June after multiple delays
After several missed deadlines, the Sukhdev Thorat-led Karnataka state education policy committee is set to submit its final report in the second week of June. Constituted in October 2023 as part of the Congress government's pre-poll promise to replace the National Education Policy (NEP), the committee was initially expected to submit its report by February 2024. The deadline was then pushed to May 2024, with an interim report submitted in the meantime. The panel later sought a six-month extension, and the final deadline was extended to May 31, 2025. Higher Education Minister M C Sudhakar on Monday confirmed that the committee will submit the report to the chief minister soon. He was speaking at the launch of a quarterly magazine published by the Karnataka State Higher Education Council. In October 2023, the Karnataka government, led by the Congress, established a 15-member State Education Policy Commission under the chairmanship of Prof Sukhdev Thorat, former University Grants Commission (UGC) chairman, to draft a new education policy to replace NEP 2020. The commission includes prominent educationists and experts like Prof Yogendra Yadav, Sonam Wangchuk, and Dr Sudhir Krishnaswamy. The Congress-led government announced its intent to withdraw NEP 2020, citing concerns over its hasty implementation, lack of state consultation, and infrastructural challenges. Karnataka, notably the first state to adopt NEP 2020 in 2021 under the BJP government, decided to revert to a state-specific policy to prioritise equity, accessibility, and constitutional values. Based on the SEP Commission's interim report, the Karnataka government scrapped the NEP's four-year undergraduate degree program and reverted to a three-year degree structure for the 2024-25 academic year. This change was driven by concerns over infrastructure, faculty shortages, and reduced access to education for disadvantaged groups due to the extended duration. Meanwhile, Sudhakar also announced that the government had secured approval to borrow Rs 2,600 crore from the Asian Development Bank to strengthen technical education in the state. A team from the bank is expected to visit Karnataka later this month to review the proposal.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Rs 2,600 crore ADB loan to boost tech education
BENGALURU: In a major push to strengthen technical education in Karnataka, the state government has secured a Rs 2,600-crore loan from Asian Development Bank (ADB). The loan will be used to upgrade polytechnic and engineering colleges and promote industry-relevant and skill-based learning, according to Higher Education Minister MC Sudhakar. He revealed this here on Monday during the launch of a quarterly magazine, 'Karnataka Unnata Shikshana' (Karnataka Higher Education), brought out by the Higher Education Department to provide updates and information on the higher education sector in the state. The magazine was officially released by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at his residence.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Karnataka State Education Policy report likely in second week of June
Bengaluru: The state education policy committee will submit its report in the second week of June after missing deadlines at least three times. The committee, headed by former UGC chairman Sukhdev Thorat, was set up in Oct 2023 as part of the promise made by Congress in its election manifesto to replace National Education Policy. While it was to submit its report in Feb 2024, it was postponed to May 2024. An interim report was submitted and the final one was expected by Aug. The panel sought another six months, and the final deadline given was May 31, 2025. Higher education minister MC Sudhakar said the report will be submitted to the chief minister. He was speaking at the launch of a quarterly magazine brought out by Karnataka State Higher Education Council. The govt has given approval for the department to get Rs 2,600 crore-loan from Asian Development Bank, primarily for strengthening technical education in the state, the minister said. A team from the bank will visit the state this month.
Hans India
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Forest Minister steps in to save forest, fauna at Jnanabharati campus
Bengaluru: The Forest Department is preparing to examine the feasibility of declaring the Jnanabharati campus of Bangalore University as a heritage site. The Higher Education Department and the BBMP have decided to carry out various construction works on the Jnanabharati campus, which is like a granary of oxygen and a mini forest of the city. For this, the demand for the required land has already been put forward. 50 acres of land in the Bio Park Part-8 of the campus was identified to establish the Visvesvaraya Engineering College University (UVCE). Opposing this, the Jnanabharati Airmen's Association had filed a complaint with the Governor. In this context, the Governor had asked for a scientific report regarding this land. Bangalore University had formed a committee to examine the proposal for the construction of the college and prepare a report. Even before the report was submitted, Higher Education Minister Dr M C Sudhakar had said that the 50 acres of land identified for the construction of UVCE was not enough. Therefore, 200 to 300 acres of land was required and on October 7, he had written to the University Vice Chancellor asking him to submit a suitable proposal in this regard. Meanwhile, the BBMP, which had been searching for a suitable place in various parts of the city to build the tallest skydeck in South Asia, finally set its eyes on the Jnanabharati campus and wrote a letter to the Higher Education Department requesting the transfer of 25 acres of land in the campus for the construction of a 250-meter-high skydeck at an estimated cost of Rs 500 crore. Further enraged by this, environmentalists, the Jnanabharati Walkers Association and '(Parisarakahi Naavu) We for the Environment' and other organisations had written to the Governor and the Forest Minister demanding protection of the Jnanabharati campus. In this context, Forest Minister Eshwar B Khandre has instructed the Forest Department officials to examine the feasibility of declaring the Jnanabharathi campus as a heritage site and submit a proposal. Minister Eshwar B Khandre had written a letter to the Additional Chief Secretary of the department on May 13, instructing them to submit a proposal, if possible, to declare the Jnanabharathi campus as a heritage site. 'There are lakhs of huge trees in the Bangalore University-Jnanabharathi campus, and it is the responsibility of the department to preserve the biodiversity here for the next generation and protect the green belt of Bangalore Metropolitan City. However, efforts are being made to cut down trees here and undertake various construction works. This needs to be curbed and biodiversity needs to be preserved. Therefore, the feasibility of declaring this green campus of Bangalore University as a heritage site under the Biodiversity Act-2002 should be examined, he had instructed. Accordingly, the Forest Department has made preparations. The number of trees and plants in Jnanabharathi, their species, medicinal plants, how much carbon they absorb and release oxygen, details of animals and birds there, butterflies, insects, water sources will be examined keeping all these factors in mind.
