The Karnataka Assembly on Tuesday, December 17, passed the Karnataka State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj University (Amendment) Bill 2024, removing the governor as chancellor and replacing him with the chief minister, amid a walkout by BJP and JD(S) MLAs.
Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge defended the legislation, arguing it would improve university governance and coordination with the state government. "No law mandates the governor must be a chancellor," Kharge said, emphasizing the state's right to legislate on higher education.
Opposition members vehemently criticised the move. Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka accused the Congress government of stripping the governor of his "sole authority," calling the Bill divisive. BJP legislator C N Ashwath Narayan termed it a "retrograde step" that reduces university autonomy.
The BJP and JD(S) MLAs staged a walkout to protest the bill, with Araga Jnanendra questioning why the governor could not continue as chancellor of state universities.
Supporting the legislation, Congress MLA Sharath Bachegowda cited Gujarat's precedent of appointing vice-chancellors through the chief minister.
In a related development, the Assembly also passed the Karnataka Labour Welfare Fund (Amendment) Bill 2024, increasing annual contributions. Employees and the state government will now contribute Rs 50 (up from Rs 20), while employer contributions will rise from Rs 40 to Rs 100.
Higher Education Minister M C Sudhakar earlier indicated plans to introduce similar legislation empowering the chief minister to appoint vice-chancellors.