Karnataka blames committees set by AICTE for recommending lesser intake at govt engineering colleges

The state government has pointed fingers towards the Standing Appeal Committee (SAC) constituted by All Indian Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to review the status of government engineering and polytechnic colleges in the state, for deduction in seats at most government engineering colleges.

In a letter written to the AICTE chairman, the director of Technical education government of Karnataka has alleged that, the committee members showed improper behaviour to the principals of the government engineering colleges and polytechnic in the state.

The copy of the letter written by HU Talwar, director technical education department which is available with TNIE reads, "Principals of government engineering colleges and polytechnic, have brought the following facts to my notice about the improper behaviours of SAC committee members on 16- 01- 2019 and 17-01-2019 at South Western Regional Office Bengaluru."

In the letter the director highlighted six points and raised allegations about the behaviours of the committee members. This is following the recent communication to state government engineering colleges after the SAC visit to colleges and the recommendations by the committee. As per the details available with TNIE, of the 11 government engineering colleges the committees have recommended zero admission to one college, 10% reduction in seat at another, 50% seat deduction at one more.

The details available shows that the committee recommended for zero admissions at Chamarajanagar engineering college, 50% seat reduction at Karvar engineering college, 10% at Haveri engineering college, 10% seat cut at Huvina Hadagali engineering college.

However, now along with the complaints, the director technical education requested the AICTE chairman to give Extension of Approval to all government engineering colleges and polytechnic for the year 2019-20, without any reduction in intake in the interest of poor meritorious and rural students.

Allegations raised on SAC

1. - Committee members have not given sufficient opportunity to appeal before the committee instead, they have insisted the principals to say Yes or No to their questions
2. - Committee members had no patience in examining the documents prepared as compliance to the deficiencies noted by scrutiny committee
3. - Instead of asking questions on respective deficiencies, committee member has questioned about the qualification of principals, which is uncalled for and not a deficiency at all.
4. - Committee members have tried to demoralise the principals by asking irrelevant questions. Their efforts in preparing compliance report and gathering the relevant documents has gone in vain.
5. - Committee members told principals that they are going to teach lessons to Karnataka Government

Meanwhile, the committee members denied these allegations. One of the committee members who is from the state said, "Most of the government engineering colleges have not improved when it comes to academic and infrastructure since the last 10 years, Even the admissions at these colleges are going down. The faculties are not qualified as per AICTE norms. We are ready to answer to AICTE, if our reaction is asked about this particular communication."