Bangalore: Maintaining its tough position towards private managements, Karnataka government on April 28 notified draft rules on admission to professional courses, retaining 75 per cent of the seats and leaving 25 per cent to managements.

As managements threatened to drag the issue to the court and conduct its own entrance test for admission, government on April 28 issued the notification, following up on last week's cabinet decision, which has set both on a collision course.

According to draft rules, out of the 75 per cent government seats, 50 per cent of the intake would be filled up on the basis of merit-cum- reservation and 25 per cent on merit-cum-higher payment.

The rules also specified that the government seats should be filled through common entrance test (CET).

Invoking powers under relevant provisions of Karnataka Educational Institutions (Prohibition of Capitation Fee) Act, 1984 and Karnataka Education Act, 1983, the rules have been framed for which objections or suggestions have been invited within 15 days.

Karnataka government and managements of unaided colleges, including medical, engineering and dental, are at loggerheads on the twin issues of admission and fee structure ever since the Supreme Court verdict came last year, giving more freedom to the managements, subject to certain stipulations.

As talks failed and deadlock continued, the state Cabinet last week decided to retain 75 per cent of the seats and announced a fee structure, in a decision that has infuriated the managements, who have said they would conduct their own test and admit students on the fees worked out by them.

PTI