Mysuru: Department of collegiate education has shelved its proposal to open a govt first-grade college in Varuna, a hobli headquarters in Mysuru taluk that falls under the Varuna assembly segment represented by chief minister Siddaramaiah.The college was proposed to improve access to higher education for rural and economically disadvantaged students. Students of the govt pre-university college in Varuna and local residents had urged Siddaramaiah to sanction the college and pressed Congress MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah, who oversees development works in the Varuna segment, to pursue the demand.The demand intensified after the govt began constructing a multi-skill development training centre at the govt tool room & training centre, with support from Visvesvaraya Technological University near Varuna.However, the state higher education department rejected the proposal, citing the presence of eight first-grade colleges within a 20km radius of Varuna. Citing good bus connectivity to the city and surrounding colleges, as well as the availability of hostels and other facilities, the department of higher education did not approve the proposal, sources said.Speaking to TOI, joint director of the department of collegiate education DS Prathima said the department had strongly recommended setting up a govt first-grade college in Varuna after the state higher education department sought a detailed report following public demand.“The establishment of a govt first-grade college will help rural and disadvantaged students access higher education in the Varuna surroundings if the govt opens such a facility,” activist Dandikere Nagaraj told TOI.
