Low cost loans to students urged

Veteran journalist and former chairman of Kannada Watchdog committee Patil Puttappa has urged the state government to provide loans to the students belonging to poor and middle class at 4 per cent interest rate along with subsidy to pursue professional courses.

Addressing a press conference here, Puttappa said the present policy of the government was detrimental to the interest of meritorious students belonging to poor and middle class.

"This government is pro-rich and its policies regarding admission to medical, engineering and dental courses have made it difficult for the poor to go for professional courses" he asserted.

Puttappa demanded that the government should hold talks with the private managements and arrive at an understanding to share seats on 50:50 basis and added that the seats reserved for out of Karnataka students should be restricted to 15 per cent.

He said the coalition government in the state lacked experience in handling issues.