Citizenry opposing takeover of VR College in Nellore

NELLORE: State government’s takeover of 100-year-old Venkatagiri Raja (VR) College is receiving sharp criticism from many quarters.

The prestigious college, with assets worth crores of rupees located in the heart of Nellore city, is currently being run by a special officer (joint collector) in absence of a governing body.

Alumni of VR College maintain that the special officer had been appointed at the instance of the court to conduct elections for the governing body. The government official could only run the institute until it is taken over by an elected body.

Former VRC Students’ Union vice president Madala Venkateswarlu, now honorary president of VR College Parirakshana Samithi, has strongly opposed takeover of the college as per GO No. 42. He pointed out that according to the GO, management of a college must be willing for takeover of the college by the government. He questioned how the college can be taken over when it has no governing body. Venkateswarlu asserted they would contest the government’s move in court.

Late Dewan of Venkatagiri Sunku Narayanaswamy Chetty founded VR Education Institute in 1875. When it faced a financial crunch, late Maharajah of Venkatagiri came to its rescue in 1886. VR College was formally inaugurated by the Maharajah on July 2, 1920.

It was first affiliated to Madras University and imparted education in history, logic, mathematics and science subjects. After the Andhra University Act was passed in 1926, it became an affiliated college of Andhra University. Its affiliation shifted to Sri Venkateswara University when it became a First-Grade University from June 14, 1956. As of now, the college is affiliated to Vikrama Simhapuri University.

With controversy over government taking over VR College building, sources have revealed that the special officer had only mentioned in his letter to the government that it is difficult to run the college without government aid. The officer even made it clear that he cannot take a decision on takeover of the college in the absence of a governing body.

Meanwhile, in a letter on July 28, 2021, the special officer requested Special Commissioner of Collegiate Education to convert the aided college as Government Degree College, citing a plea by teaching and non-teaching staff of the institution.

This move is being opposed, pointing out that there is no government body for VR College yet, which needs to okay the takeover by the government.