Concern over govt's move to handover Haji Abdullah's land to B R Shetty

Udupi, Sep 3: Activists and local organizations in Udupi have expressed concern over the State government's green signal to privatize a government hospital at Ajjarkad in Udupi by handing over its land to BRS Ventures Pvt Ltd, owned by Abu Dhabi-based Indian business tycoon B?R?Shetty.

The State cabinet had recently given its in principal approval to hand over the land of maternity and pediatric hospital falling under the district hospital at Ajjarkad to Mr Shetty's firm. In fact the land was donated to the government decades ago by Late Haji Abdullah Kasim Saheb Bahadur, a well known philanthropist and founder of the Corporation Bank.

Activists in the region have taken to social media to slam the government's green signal for privatization of the hospital. The development is also being hotly discussed on a WhatsApp group.

Expressing his opposition to the government's move, former Udupi MLA Raghupathy Bhat of BJP recalled that the land for the hospital had been donated by Haji Saheb with an intention that a state-run hospital come up there. Mr Bhat has urged the government to reconsider its decision.

“If everything is going to be privatised, then why should the government exist”, questioned one Francis on twitter. “Private hospitals are after money. How can the poor get treatment in such hospitals”, tweeted Abdul?Sattar Ucchila.

Prof K?Paniraj, who began a discussion on the WhatsApp group, said it is unfortunate that in the name of service, hi-tech hospitals are being started by the rich denying the middle class and the poor access to hospitals where treatment is available at an affordable cost.

Another former MLA of Udupi, U?R?Sabhapathi recalled that the S?M?Krishna government had proposed to hand over the hospital to Kasturba Medical?College. However, the government withdrew its decision after there was a public outcry.

Meanwhile, Udupi Zilla Muslim Okkootta, has strongly condemned the government's move and vowed to launch a battle against the decision to privatize the hospital. In a meeting held on Friday, the Okkoota has formed a 10 member struggle committee in this regard.

Reporters were briefed that in its meeting on August 24, the state Cabinet decided that three parcels of land belonging to the Health and Family Welfare department in Udupi be handed over to B R Shetty owned company BRS Ventures to develop a hospital.

However, the Cabinet note tells a different story. The note states that Shetty had come forward to build a pediatric and maternity hospital, a 400-bed super-speciality hospital and a community health centre. Mr Shetty's company had sought 15 months to complete the pediatric and maternity hospital and 24 months to finish the community health centre.

The note stated that the company would collect “minimum” charges for using facilities at the super-speciality hospital. Laboratory fees, doctor fees will be charged separately.

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Dear Panna what deal you are talking. If he want to build hospital, let him purchase any land and build hospital who cares. Why he need govt land for free? That also some one donated. He wants every thing free and then portray that he is giving service. Every one knows him. They will not give anything free.He is business minded. This is like denail of service to poor. Poor people are happy with current facility. No need to build super speciality if govt can not. Or let govt ask donation from people. Many are there who can donate. This looks some one have hand in glove.

Every election, people elect corrupt criminals to run the government, and then complain against every decision they take. WHY? Democracy!

Businessman openly endorsed that he belongs to Hindu Maha Sabha and big fan of Modi. Now he needs Abdullah Haji's land for his business. He is the patron of sangh parivar in GCC.
Govt. must rethink before handover land to Modi Bhakts.

Privatisation is a menace. Funny thing is that BJP leaders are supporting Haji sab and opposing Shetty sab. hahaha. what a politics!

we have to put ourselves in the place of Abdullah or his relatives . why he donated the land ? still now i can see poor people benefiting for .

If it was given freely by someone Shetty don't have any right to make money out of it....otherwise make sure that Shetty provides free services to poors even if he builds high tech hospital up there.

Arshad your region rich also can purchase land and build free medical hospital right, everyone everywhere must be united and with unity we have to work for the society development.

it is really good news that mr. shetty is intend to build a hospital. why not ?? there are thousands of vacate land he can buy and build his hospital?
let him allow poor people to get free medical service under government hospital.
udupi waalo -- jaago - gareebonke liye lado.

@ manohar & chatrapathi
Why we (common people) need government when they can't run a district hospital. This decision of government will not benefit the lower class. Today health care tomorrow security ....

this concerned people or groups dont have any other work about concern, even udupi is developing this people will be concern,

(any group)u dont need to concern about it. if BR shetty is taking the deal, it will showcase the development of udupi.

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Mangaluru’s KPT becomes India’s first autonomous govt polytechnic

News Network

January 23,2026

Mangaluru: The Karnataka Government Polytechnic (KPT), Mangaluru, has achieved autonomous status from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), becoming the first government polytechnic in the country to receive such recognition in its 78-year history. The status was granted by AICTE, New Delhi, and subsequently approved by the Karnataka Board of Technical Education in October last year.

Officials said the autonomy was conferred a few months ago. Until recently, AICTE extended autonomous status only to engineering colleges, excluding diploma institutions. However, with a renewed national focus on skill development, several government polytechnics across India have now been granted autonomy.

KPT, the second-largest polytechnic in Karnataka, was established in 1946 with four branches and has since expanded to offer eight diploma programmes, including computer science and polymer technology. The institution is spread across a 19-acre campus.

Ravindra M Keni, the first dean of the institution, told The Times of India that AICTE had proposed autonomous status for polytechnic institutions that are over 25 years old. “Many colleges applied. In the first round, 100 institutions were shortlisted, which was further narrowed down to 15 in the second round. We have already completed one semester after becoming an autonomous institution,” he said. He added that nearly 500 students are admitted annually across eight three-year diploma courses.

Explaining the factors that helped KPT secure autonomy, Keni said the institution has consistently recorded 100 per cent admissions and placements for its graduates. He also noted its strong performance in sports, with the college emerging champions for 12 consecutive years, along with active student participation in NCC and NSS activities.

Autonomous status allows KPT to design industry-oriented curricula, conduct examinations, prepare question papers, and manage academic documentation independently. The institution can also directly collaborate with industries and receive priority funding from AICTE or the Ministry of Education. While academic autonomy has been granted, financial control will continue to rest with the state government.

“There will be separate committees for examinations, question paper setting, boards of studies, and boards of examiners. The institution will now have the freedom to conduct admissions without government notifications and issue its own marks cards,” Keni said, adding that new academic initiatives would be planned after a year of functioning under the autonomous framework.

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