MYSURU: Karnataka state higher education department Monday directed Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) to postpone an international conference organised to mark 60 years of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s lectures on Ekatma Manav Darshan (integral humanism).The conference, organised by KSOU along with RSS-affiliated Prajna Pravah and Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation, was scheduled to be held at the varsity’s campus in Mysuru on March 25 and 26.The govt issued notice to KSOU vice-chancellor Sharanappa V Halse seeking reply within 24 hours over organising an event in violation of protocols and provisions of KSOU Act 1992. The govt said organising such events was not appropriate, especially since KSOU’s revenue was falling.
Violates act, says Karnataka govt
IGST is Integrated Goods and Services Tax levied on all inter-state supplies of goods and services, imports, and exports.Despite leading in growth rate, Karnataka’s total GST collections stood at Rs 1.44 lakh crore during the 11-month period, significantly lower than Maharashtra’s Rs 3.28 lakh crore. Bihar collected Rs 17,488 crore.Karnataka topped state GST collections, registering a 13.6% growth compared to the same period in 2024-25. Data for March 2026 is yet to be compiled.According to Byregowda, the growth rate could have been higher if not for the rate rationalisation which bogged the state to 11% average growth rate during the fiscal 2025-26.Intervening during a debate on the state budget 2026-27, BJP MLA V Sunil Kumar criticised the govt’s guarantee schemes, arguing that increased spending was straining the state’s economy. Responding to this, Byregowda said there was no direct link between the schemes and the state’s economic performance.In his 2026-27 state budget, Siddaramaiah said Karnataka is the second highest GST revenue collecting state in the country.
