Udupi: Deputy chief minister G Parameshwara on Friday said the govt was considering a sports university in the state, and his visit to Mangalore University’s Postgraduate Studies and Advanced Research Centre at Belapu was to assess whether the campus could be suitable for it.Speaking to reporters after inspecting it, Parameshwara said the Rs 53.8 crore facility had remained unused for years, and risked falling into disrepair.He said the Union govt announced the science centre in the 2014-15 Budget under RUSA, with funding from RUSA and Mangalore University. “A proposal had been made to establish two science centres, including one in Mangaluru. After approvals, construction was taken up and infrastructure worth Rs 50 to Rs 60 crore was created,” he said.The project stalled after RUSA was discontinued and further funding from Mangalore University was unavailable. A proposal to revive the science centre has now been made and brought to the higher education minister’s attention.The govt will gather details and discuss them with chief minister DK Shivakumar. The govt would ensure that the buildings and the developed campus were put to effective use. The minister said that he had also come to examine the possibility of establishing a govt medical college in the district.Parameshwara said a special session has been convened on Sept 21, 22 and 23. The Kasturirangan report will be discussed first, followed by an assessment of the drought situation, after which the govt’s response and assistance towards the farmers will be finalised. He said the session was convened keeping farmers’ interests in mind.
