Verdict on one lakh technological seats tomorrow

The Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University had passed orders disaffiliating 174 colleges for lacking facilities in accordance with the norms of the varsity as well as the state government. As a result, the Higher Education Council decided not to include these colleges in the Web counselling.

Aggrieved managements of these colleges moved the HC contending that the varsity and Council’s action was illegal. They urged the court to direct the authorities to include their colleges in the Web counselling, so that students have more choice and they do not suffer losses.

Justice A. Rajasekhar Reddy heard the case on Saturday, despite it being a holiday, in view of public interest and the urgency involved in the backdrop of the Apex Court’s orders that the admission should be completed by August 31.

K. Ramakrishna Reddy, advocate-general appearing for the council and the varsity, submitted that that managements of 141 colleges approached the Vice Chancellor on Friday to submit affidavits, assuring that they will follow the norms.

He also said that the state government has earmarked Rs 2,500 crore for the current academic year under the Financial Assistance to Students of Telangana, but it is not prepared to squander it on colleges, that fail to fulfil basic requirements norms.

The counsels appearing for the colleges argued that the action of the varsity in disaffiliating the colleges in the eleventh hour was illegal. They contended that the the President himself had admitted that IITs were facing a staff crunch, and JNTU’s constituent colleges did not have faculty in accordance with norms.

They urged the court to direct authorities allow them to participate in the counselling. While pointing out the reasons for passing the orders in eleventh hour by the varsity, the judge said he will deliver the verdict soon.