Mysore/Mysuru: Former MLC Marithibbegowda has urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to take immediate steps to revive the University of Mysore (UoM), which he said is on the verge of decline.

Addressing mediapersons at Pathrakarthara Bhavan here recently, he said the University, which celebrated its centenary in 2015-16, has been facing severe financial strain and is being deprived of basic facilities.

“The University of Mysore, based on letters written by a few Principals of University Colleges, has withdrawn the autonomous status of certain colleges with effect from the current academic year. This decision was taken without any discussion at the Syndicate meeting held on Feb. 16. It is a grave injustice that will adversely affect students,” he alleged.

He further pointed out that admissions at Yuvaraja’s College have declined considerably, leading to the closure of nine postgraduate (PG) courses. About 2,000 students are still studying at the college. Action must be taken against those opposing the autonomous status of the college and steps should be initiated to restore it in the interest of the institution and its students, he said.

Recalling his earlier stand, Marithibbegowda said they had opposed the move to establish Universities in every district. “Though some had criticised our opposition then, today we are witnessing a shortage of students for 12 PG courses at the Visvesvaraya Post Graduate Centre under Mandya University, resulting in the closure of 10 departments. The 11 professors on deputation from the University of Mysore have not had even an hour’s workload for the past two years,” he said.

“Several letters have been written to the Department of Higher Education seeking to relieve them from the PG Centre and repost them to the University of Mysore, but there has been no response,” he added.

Alleging irregularities in the appointment of the Acting Vice-Chancellor to Mandya University, he claimed that seniority was overlooked and provisions of the Universities Act were violated.

He also said that retired employees of the University of Mysore are not receiving their pensions on time and sought the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s intervention to resolve the issues at the earliest.