Anantapur: The Centre's decision to set up Andhra Pradesh's new central university at Anantapur is the first of its kind for this district after the state was bifurcated into two.
Many other institutions including Urdu University, IIT and several others were in the reckoning but the centre announced the setting up of Central Varsity at Anantapur.
Five of the seven national-level educational institutions allotted to Andhra Pradesh planned to function from the coming academic session and funds were allotted to majority of them.
But, slow process raised doubts about formal running of the varsity at temporary shelter from the coming academic year following controversies at Hyderabad Central University and further JNU Delhi.
Suicide of Rohit Vemula had resulted in tension for many weeks at Hyderabad Central Varsity. This was followed by JNU issue. Hyderabad was accommodating students of both the states AP and Telangana even after two years of bifurcation.
With the centre giving the green signal, the Central University is expected to commence from the coming academic year.
Anantapur district authorities have already chalked out suitable land at three different locations in different parts of the district. Land was formally okayed at Reddipalli in B.K. Samudram mandal in the district, about 15 km away from headquarters.
The prison department had nearly 1,000 acre land closer to open air prison and 350 acres of land was identified for the purpose as the prison authorities had also expressed consent to allot land for the varsity. Classes were to begin during 2015-16 at the temporary shelter but did not.
Jawaharlal Nehru Technological College of Engineering, Anantapur, was identified as suitable location to run the varsity temporarily till completion of pucca buildings for the varsity at proposed lands. It was also proposed to conduct classes of both engineering and central varsity classes in shift system.
Hostels were also to be allotted for the students at JNTUA campus, sources said. Another location was also identified near Reddipalli.
Anantapur joint collector B. Lakshmikantham said the district administration was ready to provide all necessary assistance to begin academic sessions from the coming year including allotment of land for construction.
