Department on the move may leave colleges

BANGALORE: If things go according to plan, the Department of Collegiate Education (DCE) will be moved out of the heritage building on Seshadri Road near K R Circle from where it has been functioning since 1960.The DCE, which began with 16 colleges under its belt, now has 356 government colleges, 290 aided colleges and more than 1,000 unaided colleges with around 25,000 teachers under it. It located at a convenient distance from the Maharani’s Arts and  Commerce College for Women, Maharani’s Science College for Women, Central College, Government Arts College and Government Science college.  Sources from Higher Education Ministry said, “It makes sense to have DCE in this building, close to these colleges. But many departments including Tourism and Election Commission want to occupy it.”It’s the Election Commission, which at present operates from its Cubbon Park premises, that has been given the place. DCE officials confirmed that chief electoral officer C S Suranjan inspected the building to check if it can accommodate his staff.Karnataka Government College Teachers’ Association President H Prakash said. “Why shouldn’t the Election Commission choose a different place? Why should we move?”                        In 2007, When H D Kumaraswamy was chief minister, a foundation stone was laid on the same premises for a building to accommodate all education departments including the commissioner’s office.  A sum of `5 crore was earmarked for it but the stone is covered by shrubs.