We will help Ukraine returnees continue medical studies in Karnataka: Minister K Sudhakar
Bengaluru(PTI): The Karnataka government would see to it that about 700 medicos who returned to the State from war-torn Ukraine continue their studies in 60 colleges in the southern State of India, Health and Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar said on Monday.
However, he said the students would not be officially absorbed into the colleges, but their learning and practice would be allowed till a solution is found. There would be no additional fee for this, he said.
The Minister said this after a meeting with the students at Vidhana Soudha today.
Stating that a high-level committee consisting of Principal Secretary of Medical Education Department, Director of Medical Education, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, Directors and deans of some medical colleges has been formed, Sudhakar said the committee would look into aspects considering the academic future of the students and submit a report to the State government.
Based on the report, the government would request the National Medical Commission (NMC) and Union government to take measures to protect the future of the students, he was quoted as saying by his office in a press release. On the basis of the report, necessary requests would be submitted to the Union government and the NMC would take a final decision, he said.
"We are hopeful and praying that the war will come to an end soon. We have to see what developments will take place in Ukraine and make appropriate decisions based on the situation. We will also need to consider the mindset of students and take the best possible decision within the existing legal and regulatory framework," said the Minister.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already initiated several measures to protect the future of the students and revive the medical education system of the country, he said.
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Parliament passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025
New Delhi (PTI): Parliament early Friday passed the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after it was approved by the Rajya Sabha.
The Lok Sabha had on Thursday approved the Bill after over a 12-hour debate.
In Rajya Sabha, the Bill got 128 votes in its favour and 95 against after all the amendments moved by the opposition were rejected.
In the lower house, the bill was supported by 288 MPs while 232 voted against it.
Participating in a debate in the Rajya Sabha, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Bill was brought with a number of amendments based on suggestions given by various stakeholders.
"The Waqf Board is a statutory body. All government bodies should be secular," the minister said, explaining the inclusion of non-Muslims on the board.
He, however, said the number of non-Muslims has been restricted to only four out of 22.
Rijiju also alleged that the Congress and other opposition parties, and not the BJP, were trying to scare Muslims with the Waqf Bill.
"You (opposition) are pushing Muslims out of the mainstream," he added.
He said for 60 years, the Congress and others ruled the country, but did not do much for Muslims and the community continues to live in poverty.
"Muslims are poor, who is responsible? You (Congress) are. Modi is now leading the government to uplift them," the minister said.
According to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Waqf tribunals will be strengthened, a structured selection process will be maintained, and a tenure will be fixed to ensure efficient dispute resolution.
As per the Bill, while Waqf institutions' mandatory contribution to Waqf boards is reduced from 7 per cent to 5 per cent, Waqf institutions earning over Rs 1 lakh will undergo audits by state-sponsored auditors.
A centralised portal will automate Waqf property management, improving efficiency and transparency.
The Bill proposes that practising Muslims (for at least five years) can dedicate their property to the Waqf, restoring pre-2013 rules.
It stipulates that women must receive their inheritance before the Waqf declaration, with special provisions for widows, divorced women and orphans.
The Bill proposes that an officer above the rank of collector investigate government properties claimed as Waqf.
It also proposes that non-Muslim members be included in the central and state Waqf boards for inclusivity.
