Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jan 19: Former minister H D Revanna had announced his decision to sit in protest demonstration (dharna) in front of the chief minister's (CM) home office, Krishna, demanding sanction of MSc (psychology) and food and nutrition courses in the government women's home science college, Holenarasipur.

Revanna arrived at the spot to sit in protest but he was taken into a room after which the CM spoke to him. Relenting at the behest of the CM, Revanna went back after handing over a memorandum. The CM sought two days' time to sort out the matter. Relying on his assurance, Revanna said he decided to go back. He expressed anger at the minister for higher education having rejected the recommendation made by Mysore University to start the above two courses in Holenarasipur college in his home constituency.

Revanna wanted to know why the minister blocked the proposal after the university and principal secretary gave their nods for the courses. He accused the minister of purposefully refusing permission. "Why should the college education of poor children be denied? We have developed college even though the government did not provide infrastructure. If the government has gone bankrupt, I will pay salaries of lecturers," he said.

In the letter addressed to the CM, Revanna has promised to temporarily meet the expenses relating to lecturers for both the courses either through college development council or his own funds. He also mentioned that 20 students each have applied to join these courses.

Higher education minister, Ashwath Narayan, said that he has never blocked the new courses in Holenarasipur college nor is there any need to bring politics here. He criticized Revanna for planning the protest and also for saying that he would meet expenses if the government is bankrupt. He wanted to know why Revanna did not provide own buildings to 100 degree colleges when he was the minister and wanted to know whether his government had become a pauper then.