Transferred teaching faculty refuses to join new postings

Tirupati: Row over transfer of teaching and non-teaching staff belonging to affiliated colleges of the Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University (SVVU) leading to academic disturbance at College of Veterinary Science in Proddatur.

A panel set up by SVVU Vice-Chancellor (V-C) Y Haribabu had selected the names of staff eligible for transfers after conducting a counselling based on varsity service rules. Forty professors, who have more than 3 years of service, were transferred between Tirupati, Gannavaram and Proddatur colleges. Teaching and non-teaching staff transferred to Tirupati and Gannavaram have joined in their new postings. 

But, those who have transferred from Tirupati and Gannavaram to Proddatur were not interested to work in that place. It is learnt that few professors have approached the political leaders to stop the transfer orders. Meanwhile, Principal Secretary (Animal Husbandry) had put the transfer orders under abeyance a month ago. Since then, transfer orders were not revoked. 

Academic session for the second and third year BVSc students of veterinary college at Proddatur had already begun. But, the college is facing severe shortage of teaching faculty, especially for veterinary medicine, as senior professors, who were transferred, did not join in their new postings. 

The sanctioned teaching strength for Proddatur Veterinary College is 72. At present, the faculty strength is 34 in which only five professors are handling academic classes. It is learnt that more than 15 transferred professors were not willing to join the Proddatur college. Interestingly, this college is situated in the native district of Animal Husbandry Minister C Adinarayana Reddy. 

If the shortage of faculty continues for longer duration, college may face cancellation of recognition from the Medical Council of India (MCI). When the issue was brought to the notice of the SVVU in-charge Registrar Prof V Padmanabha Reddy, he stated the varsity has no power to revoke the transfer orders as they were kept in abeyance. So far, the state government did not revoke the abeyance orders on transfers.