Mysuru: Deputy Chairman of Legislative Council Marithibbegowda has appealed Chief Minister Siddharamaiah to take steps to get University Grants Commission (UGC) recognition for Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) for 2017-18 and drop any proposal to close KSOU.

Marithibbegowda further stated in the appeal that the State Government as per the instruction of UGC had brought amendments to the Open University Act and confined the activities of KSOU to the State.

The Government has also appealed UGC to grant recognition for KSOU for the year 2017-18 after abiding by the directions of UGC, he stated.

Marithibbegowda has expressed apprehension over the statements of Higher Education Minister regarding the proposed closure of KSOU and diverting the allocated funds for KSOU to other Universities.

Welcoming the move of the CM to apprise the Union HRD Minister regarding KSOU recognition, Marithibbegowda has appealed the CM to consider KSOU degrees for higher education, recruitment and promotions.