Professors recruitment mired in controversy

Anantapur: Recruitment of professors into JNTUA has led into a controversy after Rayalaseema Rashtra Samiti founder Kuncham Venkata Subba Reddy sought a judiciary probe along with other organisations such as the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau.

Mr Subba Reddy represented Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and other departments, seeking action against Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University vice-chancellor Dr. Srinivasa Kumar.

The Rayalaseema-based organisation leader K. Venkata Subba Reddy alleged that the Varsity authorities had collected '40 lakhs for each post from seven candidates while '80 lakhs was collected from another candidate to provide employment in Kalikiri in Chittoor, Pulivendula and Anantapur Enginee-ring Colleges under the JNTUA.

“We requested the Chief Minister to take necessary action, by ordering a judiciary probe over large scale of misuses by the vice-chancellor,” he said and threatened to stage a protest against the JNTU Anantapur authorities.

Meanwhile, JNTUA vice-chancellor Dr. Srinivasa Kumar ruled out irregularities during the selection of faculty.  

“We followed every norm and conducted interviews in a perfect manner in the presence of experts from IIT and other institutions,” the vice-chancellor said and made it clear that no irregularities were witnessed during the selection process. The vice-chancellor further briefed that the entire process was put before the Executive Committee and got clearance for selection of candidates.

Meanwhile, speculation ride over an RRS leader not getting JNTUA Auditorium to organise a National-level seminar a few days ago.  Though the authorities orally agreed to give the auditorium,  they reportedly cancelled it in last minute due to political pressures that hurt the Seema-based organisation that claimed to have spent more than '60 lakhs.