Daijiworld Media Network—Belthangady (PS)
 
Belthangady, Jan 10: “From this academic year, the central syllabus will be introduced in 5th, 8th, and first PUC classes. From next year, it will be introduced in second year PUC, 6th, 7th, 9th, and 10th classes too. This change is a part of preparing the students for equal CET to be in place from 2014 across the nation,” said higher education minister Dr V S Acharya.
 
He was speaking to reporters in Dharmastala on Monday January 9 and said that compared to central syllabus students, students studying under the state syllabus have 104 less annual periods. “Due to changes in syllabus, students fear appearing for exams. An affidavit will be submitted in the Supreme Court on this regard,” he said and added that with equal CET system, Karnataka gets 85 percent of the seats.
 
“There are plans to open an online counseling center for CET. There are already six centers and no need for additional centers,” he said. “The committee formed by the government with regard to fees for medical and engineering colleges is not publicized yet. What is the use of revealing the committee report if the private colleges provide seats as per the fees fixed by the government,” asked Dr Acharya. 
 
In response to a query, he said that the Religious Endowment Act will be presented in this month’s assembly session. “For ‘A’ grade temples, the member will be appointed at the state-level and for ‘B’ as well as ‘C’ grade temples, members will be appointed at the  district level,” he added.
 
“‘Made Made Snana’ is a ritual followed over a thousand years. It has not been started either by Dr Acharya or Pejavar Swami as is doubted by a few people,” said Dr Acharya minister and added that he does not want to take part in the debate as he is tired of giving statements. About the UPCL issue, he said that he has spoken to the Pejavar Swami and he has great respect for him. “However, his opposition to UPCL is not correct. The government has the responsibility of providing basic facilities to the people. All should co-operate,” said Dr Acharya.
 
“The UPCL project has been invited by the government itself. An investment of Rs 5,000 cr has been already made. This cannot be stopped all of a sudden. About 12 million units of electricity is provided by UPCL to MESCOM and there is no alternate substitute for this,” he said.

“About the demand for 1,300 acres of land made by the company, the government gave only 430 acres of land. Discussions have been held with ACC and Birla and the issue of fly ash will be sorted out. The attitude of Pejavar Swami is creating problems for the public,” he said and added that due to him the work on the second phase of MSEZ was cancelled.
 
“There are expectations of opening the police commissionerate building in Mangalore on Wednesday January 25. After taking into consideration the CM’s schedule, the programme will be announced. The building has been built at a cost of Rs 6 cr,” said Dr Acharya.