BANGALORE, May 8: The State Government's decision to do away with 15 per cent seats for non-Karnataka students in professional colleges from the academic year 1997-98 is in clear violation of Supreme Court orders. The Court in its interim orders passed on June 16, 1996, asked the state to earmark 15 per cent seats in medical, dental and engineering courses for students from outside Karnataka. The government complied with the orders during the academic year 1996-97.

However, this year, the Government overlooked the Supreme Court order despite the matter being sub judice. The gazette notification -- issued on May 3 states, ``... Forty five per cent of engineering seats falling under payment category and available in private unaided institutions other than minority institutions shall be allocated to Karnataka quota. Seats remaining unfilled after admissions to Karnataka quota shall be allocated to non-Karnataka quota, subject to a maximum of fifteen per cent of payment seats''.

That means, no non-Karnataka student even if he or she tops the rank-list will be able to secure an MBBS or BDS seat as no seat will remain unfilled after Karnataka students are counselled.

The Common Entrance Test cell will, however, conduct entrance test for non-Karnataka students for medical courses too although it will have no seat left to offer to them.

The Law Minister M C Nanaiah,said that the state had not defied the Court, and had framed the rules strictly in line with the government's philosophy on the issue. He added that the order was applicable only for 1996-97. He further noted that a large number of non-Kannadiga students residing in Karnataka had benefitted after the Government relaxed the minimum years of study in the State from 12 years to seven years.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.