Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jan 18: State higher education minister, Basavaraj Rayareddy, said that scams amounting to Rs 500 crore have occurred in universities of Karnataka. The minister, who had fumed against vice chancellors of different universities of Karnataka in the past, now came out with fresh allegation of corruption against university administrations.

"Scams have taken place in almost all the universities in Karnataka. We are getting them investigated through committees headed by respective district deputy commissioners. We will shortly come to know the quantum of scams individually. Once the report is received, the government will be taking suitable action," he said, addressing a press conference in the city on Tuesday January 17.

Rayareddy said that zilla panchayat finance officer and officials of revenue department will form members of the said committee, and that the government has already put together preliminary information. He stated that more investigations will be taken up in phases as might be necessary, and cases will be registered against the guilty.

The minister stated that universities are not facing dearth of funds, and that some universities have deposits running into hundreds of crores of rupees. He blamed the university administrations of not properly and efficiently making use of the funds. He added that tender rules have been thrown to the wind and lot of irregularities happened in building construction alone. He also said that stern action will be taken after a decision is taken over alleged encroachment of land belonging to Bengaluru, Mysuru and other universities.