ST/SC panel grills OU for defying quota rules

HYDERABAD: Authorities of the Osmania University (OU) were on Tuesday questioned by the state’s Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission regarding non-implementation of Rule of Reservation in appointing professors in various departments.

As per the rule, 15 per cent of vacancies should be reserved for SCs and six per cent for STs. However, as per information obtained by Deccan Chronicle, 32 departments of the Osmania University do not have a professor from either the Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled Tribes.

As per an official document of the university, out of 1,267 sanctioned posts, only 448 have been filled in the university.

There has been no recruitment of new professors after formation of Telangana State even as several professors are scheduled to retire in 2020.

In this regard, Dr. Errolla Srinivas, chairman, Telangana SC and ST Commission, at a meeting held with university registrar on Tuesday and directed that a five-member internal committee be formed for appointment of teaching staff, to examine why the rule of reservation has not been implemented, and how the issue could be rectified.

With regard to non-teaching staff, the commission chairman asked the university to write to the state government requesting for immediately recruitment for vacant posts.

When contacted, university officials said appointments are made as per guidelines of the University Grants Commission (UGC). Accordingly, the teaching staff were recruited group wise while adhering to the roster system. However, when it comes to departments, professors were allotted based on the student-teacher ratio and subject requirement.

At Tuesday’s meeting, the commission also sought details of measures being taken for welfare of SC and ST students in the university.

The meeting was attended by registrar Professor Gopal Reddy, Professor Krishna Rao, deans of various faculties, principles of various campus and constituent colleges, non-teaching staff and students.