Gadag, October 21: The cremation of the mortal remains of Dr. Siddalinga Swamiji of Thontadarya Mutt who passed away on Saturday, will be held on Sunday at 4 pm.

The procession of the mortal remains of the Swamiji was cancelled. Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda, former Siddaramaiah have darshan of the body.

Selection of successor

Following the demise of Dr. Siddalinga Swamiji, Siddarama Swamiji of Naganur Rudrakshi Mutt was elected as the 20th Swamiji of the Tontadarya Mutt.

Dr Siddalinga Swamiji had written a Will 15 years back that Siddarama Swamiji of Naganur Rudrakshi Mutt should be his successor.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



New Delhi (PTI): A Bill which seeks to set up a single regulator for institutions of higher education is required to facilitate universities and other higher educational institutes become independent and self-governing, officials said.

The Bill is likely to be introduced in Parliament next week after it got the Union Cabinet's nod on Friday.

The proposed legislation, which was earlier christened the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) Bill, has now been named Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhikshan Bill.

A single higher education regulator, which was proposed in the new National Education Policy (NEP), looks to replace the University Grants Commission (UGC), the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE).

"The Bill proposes to set up a Higher Education Commission of India to facilitate universities and other higher educational institutes become independent and self-governing institutions and to promote excellence through a robust and transparent system of accreditation and autonomy. It is likely to be introduced (in Parliament) in the coming week," an official said.

While the UGC presently oversees non-technical higher education in the country, the AICTE oversees technical education, while the NCTE is the regulatory body for teachers' education.

The Commission is proposed to be set up as a single higher education regulator, but medical and law colleges will not be brought under its ambit.

It is proposed to have three major roles -- regulation, accreditation and setting professional standards, officials said.

Funding, which is seen as the fourth vertical, is not proposed to be under the regulator so far. The autonomy for funding is proposed to be with the administrative ministry, they said.