CPM opposes Andhra University doctorate to NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman

Visakhapatnam: CPM urged the Andhra University management to roll back its decision to confer doctorate on Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog Rajiv Kumar. The Andhra University has decided present doctorate to Rajiv Kumar on its 74th convocation.

Pointing out the decision, a group of CPM leaders led by party Visakhapatnam City Committee secretary B Ganga Rao met Vice- Chancellor of  Andhra University Prof G Nageswara Rao  and urged him to withdraw the decision alleging that Rajiv Kumar recommended to the Centre that Andhra Pradesh is not having enough eligibility to get the Special Category status.

Vice-Chairperson of NITI Aayog Rajiv Kumar had submitted a report to the Centre stating that Andhra Pradesh does not have eligibility to get the Special Category Status and damaged the prospects of the state. 

However, the Andhra University had selected Rajiv Kumar for honorary doctorate. If Andhra University management present honorary doctorate to him, the university would indirectly support his argument regarding the Special Category Status. 

The CPM is opposing the decision, Ganga Rao informed the Vice-Chancellor. Not only Special Category Status, but also the NITI Aayog is supporting the privatisation of the education system and weakening the universities.

The NITI Aayog also recommending to privatise the PSUs and proposed for disinvestments in Dredging Corporation of India and Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.

Considering all the facts, the Andhra University should withdraw its decision to present doctorate to Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog, Ganga Rao and other leaders RKSV Kumar and V Krishna Rao urged the Vice-Chancellor.