AP abolishes 10 varsity councils

The state government on Friday abolished the executive councils (ECs) of 10 universities. The ECs are the highest decision-making bodies in universities. All decisions have to be endorsed by the ECs before they are implemented.

Though there is no official reaction on the issue, it was learnt that the government had issued the orders on the directions of the Governor and Chancellor of Universities, Mr E.S.L. Narasimhan, who is reportedly upset with the functioning of the ECs.

The government issued the orders terminating the ECs of the Osmania University, Andhra University, Kakatiya University, Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Sri Venkateswara University, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Dravidian University, Potti Sriramulu Telugu University, Dr B.R. Ambedkar Open University and Sri Padmavathi Mahila Viswavidyalayam.

As per norms, the tenure of an ECs is only three years. However, the ECs in all the universities have been functioning for more than three years citing “technical reasons” in the Universities Act.

Ever since he took charge as the Governor in January 2010, Mr Narasimhan has been pitching for reforms in the universities. He asked the officials of the higher education department to constitute a “collegium of eminent persons” to select EC members from academic, industry, culture and sports fields.

In the absence of full-time ECs, the universities will continue to function with ex-officio members .

No more ECs

* Osmania University.
* Andhra University.
* Kakatiya University.
* Sri Krishnadevaraya University.
* Sri Venkateswara University.
* Acharya Nagarjuna University.
* Dravidian University.
* Potti Sriramulu Telugu University.
* Dr B.R. Ambedkar Open University.
* Sri Padmavathi Mahila Viswavidyalayam.