Lokesh promises probe into ‘quitting’ of 17 VCs, if proof is given
Education Minister Nara Lokesh has promised to order an inquiry into an allegation that 17 out of 19 of the state’s vice chancellors were forced to quit en masse after the change of government last year.
Vijayawada:Education Minister Nara Lokesh has promised to order an inquiry into an allegation that 17 out of 19 of the state’s vice chancellors were forced to quit en masse after the change of government last year. “An enquiry shall be done if evidence is provided by the opposition YSR Congress members,” he stated in the legislative council on Tuesday.
The forty seventh session of the Legislative Council was held on Tuesday. While giving thanks to Governor S Abdul Nazeer for addressing the joint session of the legislature a day ago, the members, one after another, started criticising the TD-led alliance government. They alleged that it failed to mention the implementation of several poll promises, mainly the ‘Super Six’ and others, in the governor’s address.
P Chandra Sekhar Reddy alleged that after the change of government, 17 out of the state’s 19 vice chancellors of universities were forced to resign under duress by the new government. He called it an unprecedented development.
In a quick reaction, minister Lokesh got up and sought details as to who forced the VCs to quit and challenged the member to prove his allegations. He even demanded that the member either withdraw his statement or prove it by submitting evidence.
The house witnessed commotion with some members supporting the charge, while the ruling alliance members sought proof.
Intervening in the debate, leader of opposition Botsa Satyanarayana sought an inquiry. However, Lokesh responded by saying, “I am ready to order an inquiry even if a single proof is given.”
Meanwhile, another ruling party member Ram Gopal Reddy alleged that several VCs were related to former CM Jagan Reddy and hence they volunteered to quit their positions.
With this, the house witnessed a fresh ruckus with members challenging one another. This forced chairman Koyye Moshen Raju to give a break to the members for a brief period.
When the House resumed the session, Chandrasekhar Reddy said that the VCs in their resignation letter mentioned that they were doing so based on the oral instructions from Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education.
When Botsa Satyanarayana sought an inquiry with the available details, Lokesh sought details, stating that they were mentioning about an IAS officer, while some were talking about APSCHE.
Lokesh said, “I agree for an inquiry on the issue and the inquiry will be taken up from 2019 onwards.” In response, Botsa said the inquiry should rather be from 2014.
Lokesh finally announced that if prima facie evidence in such allegations were produced, the issue would be placed before the chairman and based on his directions, further action would be initiated.
Botsa Satyanarayana alleged that the government was changing its version on the issue repeatedly and it was making the Governor to mention certain issues which were far away from facts during his speech. The opposition expressed its protest and Botsa staged a walkout with other YSRC members.
Later, in reply to the Governor’s speech, Lokesh vowed to implement the Thalliki Vandanam scheme from April/March, as also fill up the promised teacher posts by conducting Mega DSC before commencement of next academic year, and develop the core of the capital in three years.
