Mysuru: The State Government will not shut down Karnataka State Open University (KSOU), said Chief Minister Siddharamaiah here this morning.

Speaking to media persons in front of his Ramakrishnanagar residence here, he said that he had written a letter to Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar seeking his intervention in resolving the de-recognition issue.

Stating that granting re-recognition was left to the University Grants Commission (UGC), he said that UGC functioned under the Union Government and there was a need for the Centre to intervene in the KSOU’s matter.

“I have also mentioned in the letter to take action against the former Vice-Chancellors responsible for the irregularities apart from apprising him about the problems it would cause to the teaching and non-teaching staff of the University,” said CM Siddharamaiah.

When asked about a six-member committee headed by Additional Chief Secretary K. Rathna Prabha to look into various issues related to KSOU including diverting the University’s funds for civil and other works of other Universities, colleges and diploma institutes across the State, the CM said that the committee was formed to prevent income tax problems which the VTU faced and had to cough up Rs. 450 crore as fine.

Appointment of VC to UoM

When media persons questioned about the delay in appointing a regular Vice-Chancellor to University of Mysore (UoM), Siddharamaiah said that a report with respect to the appointment of VC was submitted to Governor-Chancellor Vajubhai R. Vala, and the State Government was awaiting his reply.

Later, the CM received memorandums from people who had gathered in large numbers in front of his residence. City Police had provided security with SP Ravi D. Channannavar supervising the arrangements.