Mysuru: More than 90% of Karnataka’s Rs 55,000 crore education budget for the year 2026-27, is spent on salaries, said higher education minister Basavaraj Rayareddi.Speaking after inaugurating the silver jubilee celebrations of JSS Speech and Hearing Centre, Rayareddi said govt alone could not provide education and healthcare to everyone and stressed the need for religious institutions and private organisations to supplement its efforts.“Karnataka has more than 1.5 crore students from primary level to postgraduate and professional courses. Of the state’s 7.4 lakh govt employees, more than four lakh are employed in the education sector, accounting for more than half of the workforce,” he added.He said mutts and private institutions play a substantial role in providing education and complementing the govt’s efforts. He lauded Suttur Mutt for its contribution to education, food distribution and healthcare through Akshara Dasoha, Anna Dasoha and Arogya Dasoha. “The institution has consistently worked to reach economically weaker, socially disadvantaged and underprivileged sections of society,” he added.Agriculture minister PM Narendraswamy said the institution was not merely training students as professionals but also shaping them into socially responsible and compassionate individuals committed to service, research and community welfare. He said equal importance was being given to academic excellence, empathy and social responsibility.Suttur mutt seer Shivarathri Deshikendra Swami, University of Mysore vice-chancellor Lokanath, AIISH director M Pushpavathi, JSS Mahavidyapeetha executive secretary CG Betsurmath and secretary Manjunath were present.
