Bagalkot: Anger has been gripping up among scientists, farmers, and students in North Karnataka over the state government’s attempt to convert University of Horticultural Sciences (UHS) in Bagalkot into a mixed university. Earlier, it was an exclusive university for horticulture education. On the other hand, an expert committee was formed to advise on the setting up of the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) in Mandya.
It is alleged that the committee has recommended changing the appearance of other agricultural universities run by the state government, aiming to weaken UHS, Bagalkot, and instead make UAS, Mandya, more potent. The major issue is that the committee failed to include any representatives from UHS, Bagalkot, failing to consult scientists or stakeholders before the submission of the report.
It is also being said that some colleges and horticulture research centers in Bengaluru, Arsikere, and Hassan, functioning under UHS, are expected to transfer to UAS Mandya. Currently, UHS has been facing an acute financial shortage. Last year, the university demanded to issue Rs 197 crore for infrastructure development; in its place, it got only Rs 102 crore.
Former MLA Veeranna Charantimath criticized the government’s move. He went on to say that despite having five Congress MLAs, including district minister S.B. Timmapur, no one came forward against the government’s stepmotherly treatment towards UHS.
Numerous academics and farming communities have urged the Karnataka government to review its decision and allow UHS, Bagalkot, to function autonomously without any intervention.
