Lack of funds: Kerala govt's 'Dhanus' project dropped

ALAPPUZHA: The Higher Education Department's 'Dhanus' project reached an abrupt end, even before starting. Dhanus', was launched to qualify students for admission to postgraduate courses in high-quality colleges at the national level. The project was dropped due to a lack of government funds. This project was implemented on a pilot basis in collaboration with the National Employment Service, Kerala.

Since the launch of the project on a pilot basis in 2018 through the Perambra Career Development Centre in Kozhikode, 139 out of 179 students who completed three years of training got admission in various campuses. The expenses, including study materials and faculty salaries, are being borne by the Employment Service Department.

After the commencement of the project during the COVID period, Rs. 11,86,187 was allocated to the Perambra Centre alone for setting up systems for online classes and matters, including faculty salaries. However, the Employment and Higher Education departments were not ready to allocate funds in the following years.

Except for the Veterinary and Technical Universities, all other universities in the state, with the help of Employment Information and Guidance Bureaus, provided training on Saturdays and Sundays, along with degree studies to those selected through a screening test from first-year degree students.

1. The government did not heed the recommendation of the Public Administration Department team appointed to study the Employment Services Department to restart Dhanus.

2. The report submitted to the government by the Public Administration Department, approved by the Additional Chief Secretary, had suggested expanding the scheme to more centres and allocating funds.