Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Jan 31: On Monday January 30, the state High Court upheld an earlier order issued by the government, withdrawing the grant it used to sanction to the foundation on an annual basis to TMA Foundation. TMA Pai Foundation functions in Manipal near here.

Principals and other employees of various institutions being run by the foundation had approached the High Court against the order of a single judge bench, dismissing their plea, in June 2011. Their argument is that their pay, perquisites etc are likely to be affected because of the withdrawal of grant by the government.

The government, when withdrawing the grant, had said that it is the practice of the government to withdraw grants to colleges which are getting government assistance since long. It had suggested the colleges under the foundation to make good the difference by hiking the fee charged to students.

“So far, we were functioning under the government. We used to get facilities on par with government servants. But now this will change,” the petitioners had complained.

The division bench comprising Justice Vikramjit Sen and Justice B V Nagaratna, while dismissing the appeal, held that the petitioners have the option to approach the court again in future, if they actually face these problems.