Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam   

V-C marshalling support

The Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy's proposed visit on Saturday seems to have spurned into action the Vice-Chancellor, Y.C. Simhadri, and his detractors in the Joint Action Committee (JAC) for Protection of Andhra University, whose main demand is the former's recall.

During Dr. Reddy's stay here, the JAC, along with political parties and students organisations, are sure to seek speedy conduct of a judicial inquiry against Prof. Simhadri.

On the other hand, campus is abuzz with rumours that Prof. Simhadri is going all out to garner support to stop the inquiry. Prof. Simhadri's frequent visits to Hyderabad in the recent past, the signature campaign in his support by some teachers and sending of memoranda to the Government are quoted as reasons that have given credence to the rumours.

Prof. Simhadri is said to have gained the support of a good number of MLAs and some Ministers also. Some even claim that this is the reason why Dr. Reddy is not going ahead with the appointment of a Judge to conduct the inquiry.

Only a few days ago two Congress MLAs -- K. Ravi and K. Murali -- claimed that they have submitted a memorandum, reportedly signed by 37 SC and ST MLAs, to the Chief Minister, seeking action against Prof. Simhadri. The Chief Minister has reacted favourably, it is claimed.

Teachers, who are initially pleased with the commencement of Career Advancement Scheme interviews after a long delay, are not a happy lot now. The reason is that they enjoy the benefit of receiving higher salary after promotion with effect from the date of joining the elevated post only.

They may not have worried much if the loss is for a few months. But thanks to the long delay in conducting the CAS interview, teachers are set to lose a big monitory benefit. The interview should be held every six months according to University Grants Commission guidelines, but Andhra University conducted its last interview in the year 2000. In the last four years several teachers have qualified for promotion, but have not been elevated since the interview has not been held. This has also denied them the immediate monitory benefit that comes along with promotion.

Several teachers are asking why the Vice-Chancellor, who scrupulously follows every UGC guideline, has not bothered to implement the one regarding CAS interview. Promotions are thus not a completely satisfying reward for teachers. The CAS interview, held for a few days last week, may resume this month-end.

Andhra University has commenced the birth centenaries of two of its illustrious administrators -- V.S. Krishna and K.V. Gopalaswamy, on a grand scale, but the promised year-long programmes are not happening now.

An international seminar marked the inauguration of Dr. V.S. Krishna's birth centenary and more such academic programmes have been planned. In the case of Dr. K.V. Gopalaswamy's birth centenary, a cultural programme on 19th of every month has been promised.

By G.Narasimha Rao
in Visakhapatnam

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