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Revanth sees conspiracy in changing UGC rules

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Sunday alleged that there was a conspiracy to amend University Grants Commission (UGC) rules to remove the powers of states over universities, and he would lead a team of his counterparts from the southern states to submit a representation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to protest the move.

He also expressed dissatisfaction at the Centre ignoring the names of Telangana personalities that the state government had proposed for the Padma honours. He was speaking after unveiling the statue of Dr B.R. Ambedkar at the Ambedkar Open University here on Republic Day.

Revanth Reddy said that it was unfortunate that there was a discussion on protecting the Constitution again in the country.

“Intellectuals must initiate a debate on the amendment of the Constitution. Late prime minister P.V. Narasimha Rao took the universities forward as a social responsibility. There is a need to protect universities by filling them proper staff to provide the best education to students,” he said.

The Chief Minister said that the Centre was conspiring to dominate universities by changing the rules of UGC. “If the control of universities goes into the hands of the Centre, universities will become platforms for the poisonous propaganda,” he explained.

"I appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi from this platform: Your desire to change the UGC regulations is an attack on the Constitution. This is a cultural attack on the states and such actions are not good for the Central government.”

“This decision being taken by Centre will lead to unnecessary controversies in campuses. We consider this decision as the Centre's encroachment on the powers of the states. We are not ready to give up our rights. The Centre must drop its decision to change the UGC regulations," the Chief Minister said.

“Our government is taking steps to curb the neglected education system. Vice Chancellors have been appointed to strengthen universities in line with the aspirations of the people of Telangana. But the Central government is trying to change the rules of UGC in the appointment of VCs, which in future could pose a major threat to the states.”

He also found fault with the Centre for not selecting prominent persons from Telangana for Padma awards and said he would write to the Prime Minister soon.

“The state government had recommended the names of the balladeer Gaddar, educationist Chukka Ramaiah, poet-lyricist Ande Sri, poet-singer Goreti Venkanna, Jayadheer Tirumala Rao, historian and researcher in tribal affairs, for Padma awards,” he added.

“We welcomed the conferring Padma Shri for Manda Krishna Madiga and others, but the Centre must have conferred awards on at least four persons nominated by the Telangana government,” he said, adding that the Centre had awarded Padma awards to more persons from Andhra Pradesh.

The Chief Minister directed Chief Secretary A. Santhi Kumari to take measures in coordinating with the VCs to fill teaching and non-teaching posts in universities. He called upon academics and intellectuals to prepare a comprehensive study to promote technical education in universities to provide better education to the students.

"Universities must not be privatised. Our government works with Ambedkar's ambition that the fruits of welfare reach the last poor and these universities will be developed in the state to provide the free education to students," Revanth Reddy said.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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