Bill on CET admissions likely to be passed today

Following a stiff opposition and walkout by the opposition BJP members over the issue of fee structure, the ruling Congress-Janata Dal-Secular coalition government did not pass the much-awaited bill on CET admissions to professional colleges.

According to the opposition BJP members, the bill is likely to be passed on Thursday.

While BJP has already agreed to the state government's 75:25 seat-sharing formula between the government and the managements, it has firmly opposed the fee structure.

B S Yediyurappa, leader of opposition party in the Legislative Assembly, said: "We have no difference of opinion on the 75:25 seat-sharing formula. But we have opposed the fee structure. We want them to implement the fee structure for 2002-03 and not what the justice A B Murgod Committee has recommended."

Yediyurappa told mediapersons that all the opposition parties will stand united in voicing their opinion on the bill.

"We will let them pass the bill only if they (ruling party) consider the 2002-03 fee structure and also assure us that they will make good the difference in fee paid by poor meritorious students. This amounts to nearly Rs 65 crore."

Yediyurappa said that the government has unnecessarily delayed the process by not planning accordingly.

"The government is now going against the Supreme Court's verdict which calls for a 50:50 seat-sharing formula. I hope they consulted legal experts on the outcome of their stand against the Supreme Court. The bill must not be passed in haste. Legal repercussions must not result in discomfort to students and their careers," he added.

Yediyurappa hoped that the state government will take up the issue on Thursday and pass the bill, keeping in mind the recommendations made by the opposition parties.