Mysuru:  A proposal has been made to confer an honorary doctorate on Chief Minister Siddharamaiah by the University of Mysore (UoM) during the convocation of the varsity scheduled to be held in the first week of February.

Other names which have been proposed include the former ISRO Chairman Kiran Kumar, environmentalist Salumarada Thimmakka and Suttur Seer Sri Shivaratri Deshikendra Swami.

The proposal was made by syndicate member M.S.S. Kumar who justified it that the honorary doctorate could be conferred on individuals for their service to the society. The names were proposed at the Syndicate meeting held at Crawford Hall yesterday.

“Since he comes from a rural background and is also an old student of the university, Siddharamaiah has excelled in political administration and economics,” said Kumar.

The spate of grants to the varsity to celebrate its centenary on a grand scale and funds to shore up science and technology was approved by Siddharamaiah and hence it would be in the fitness of things to confer the honorary doctorate on him, according to Kumar.

University sources said that it was only a proposal and would go before the scrutinising committee which will forward the select names to the Governor who has to give his  final approval.