Govt cannot interfere in SVVU transfers: HC

• High Court of Hyderabad upholds the transfer policy of the varsity
• Says the govt has blindly issued abeyance orders to protect individuals

Tirupati: In a significant judgment, the High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad upheld the transfer policy of the Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University (SVVU) and found fault with the government which tried to meddle the matter unnecessarily. 

The judgement clearly stated that the government has no right or power to interfere in the transfers effected by the University, in the manner that it did and observed that it was motivated by extraneous considerations.

It may be recalled that that the Vice-Chancellor of SVVU Prof Y Haribabu has transferred teaching and non-teaching staff about six months back which were long overdue and became necessary. 

Accordingly, 65 non-teaching and more than 42 teaching staff from the SVVU were transferred to affiliated colleges like Gannavaram, Tirupati and Proddatur. 

A section of the transferred faculty has opposed this and tried to make political lobbying after which the Principal Secretary of Animal Husbandry department had issued orders to keep the transfer orders in abeyance. 

But the University administration was very firm on its decision as the transfer orders were issued after a panel appointed by the V-C shortlisted the names of staff eligible for transfers after conducting counselling for them. 

The opportunity to exercise their options was also given to the faculty and total transparency was maintained throughout the process. 

Those who have completed three years of service were transferred between Tirupati, Gannavaram and Proddatur. 

However, teaching and non-teaching staff transferred to Proddatur from the other two places have declined to join. As Against the sanctioned strength of 72 faculty in Proddatur, only 34 were working including five professors. 

Even though, 15 Professors were transferred to Proddatur but they have not joined and the varsity became helpless, as they cannot revoke the abeyance orders. 

In this backdrop, a few staff members have approached the High Court. The University in its response filed before the court mentioned all the factors relating to transfers. 

They made it clear that keeping the orders in abeyance would result in chaos and jeopardise the academics, farm research and the administration of the University.

 The judgement stated that the government blindly issued the abeyance orders in the first instance on a general note but its later correspondence clearly shows that the abeyance orders were aimed at protecting particular individuals including the first respondent-writ petitioner Dr N Dhanalakshmi. 

It was also mentioned that none of the reasons listed by her to support her argument to retain her at Gannavaram only were justifiable ones, warranting interference by the Government at her behest. 

Referring to the claim of the petitioner that she was on leave on May 28 and could not have been relieved, the court clarified that once the transfer order was issued on May 23, it was not open to any employee to cling on to the post. 

Also, as she herself chose not to abide by the transfer order and join at the new place, having sought political intervention in the matter, she cannot be allowed to take advantage of her own actions and seek payment of salary for the period that she deliberately chose to remain out of service. 

Reacting to the judgement, the V-C Prof Haribabu has made it clear that all the transfers were made at the interest of the University and to maintain good academic standards. 

Speaking to The Hans India, he expressed happiness as the HC has applauded the transfer policy and the transparency in it. 

Most of the faculty members have already joined in their posts and only a few were having objections. He said that they will complete the process soon.