Protesting Corruption, KSOU Non-Teaching Staff Display Monetary Display of Protesters' Grievances
Karnataka State Open University Non-Teaching Staff Association Protests Escalate
The Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) in Bengaluru has been the centre of a heated protest by its non-teaching staff association. The association, led by Secretary Pradeep Giri, has been vocal about their 12 demands, which include the closure of Regional Centres, regularization of jobs, salary increments, office infrastructure improvements, and grievance redressal mechanisms, among others.
The turmoil began when Puttaswamy, who was working in the Finance department and in charge of the KSOU Guest House, was transferred. The non-teaching staff association objected to this decision, leading to a confrontation with the Vice-Chancellor. Bowing to pressure, Puttaswamy's transfer has been revoked by the university.
On Tuesday, non-teaching staff association members held a discussion with Registrar Dr Praveen. However, an argument broke out during the meeting, leading to the association sitting in a dharna. The association members were unable to contact the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar.
In an act of defiance, members of non-teaching staff hung a decorative door hanging made of currency notes in the Vice-Chancellor's chamber as part of their protests against alleged corruption in the varsity. The employees, mainly from non-teaching staff, took this step due to their frustration over alleged corruption ruining the university.
The association has pointed to the opening of Regional Centres of KSOU in Periyapatna in Mysuru district, Sira of Tumakuru, and Kollegal of Chamarajanagar district as a concern. They argue that these centres are a financial burden on the varsity.
The association has expressed fears that if the situation does not improve in KSOU, the university may have to shut its doors in the coming couple of years. Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka has alleged that the level of corruption in Karnataka has reached its peak under the Congress government, in reference to the KSOU protest.
Puttaswamy initiated steps to improve the revenue collection at the Guest House and collected approximately Rs 1.3 lakh within a week, which was previously reported as a loss under earlier officials. Despite serving reminders, their demands have gone unanswered by the Vice-Chancellor Sharanappa Halase.
The association's 12-demands, including the closure of the Regional Centres, have gone unnoticed by the Vice-Chancellor. Pradeep Giri stated, "We demand for the closure of the Regional Centres citing financial burden on the varsity. Our demands have gone unnoticed by the Vice-Chancellor."
For the latest updates on this issue, we recommend checking official KSOU announcements, recent news articles from major Karnataka-based media outlets, or direct statements from the Non-Teaching Staff Association.
The ongoing protests by the Karnataka State Open University Non-Teaching Staff Association highlight concerns in both education-and-self-development and politics, as they push for their 12 demands regarding job regularization, salary increments, and corruption allegations. The association's fears of financial burdens from Regional Centres and the potential closure of KSOU in the near future underline the importance of general news coverage surrounding the issue.
