TSFUTA urges govt to withdraw private universities bill

OU:  Telangana State Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (TSFUTA) on Thursday urged the state government to withdraw the private universities’ bill and strengthen the government universities.

A round table was held at PGRRCDE Seminar Hall in OU campus on Thursday on ‘Private Universities Bill’ under the aegis of the TSFUTA. OU Teachers’ Association president Battu Satyanarayana presided. 
The meeting demanded immediate filling of teaching posts in government universities, provision of basic amenities, encouragement to research and pointed out that there was no minimum staff strength in Telangana, Palamuru, Mahatma Gandhi and Satavahana universities even after a decade of their creation.
 
There was no permanent faculty member to teach a subject like pharmacy. The meeting reminded the government that the Satavahana University did not get UGC recognition for want of basic amenities and faculty. OU Forum for Telangana Convener Prof G Lakshman said that 90 per cent of the courses being offered by 282 private universities in 20 states pertain to management and technology. 

He advised the state government against creation of private universities in Telangana as state has beenformed under special conditions. He complained of poor allocation of funds and not releasing of funds in full. He called for giving a call to observe a one-day bandh to motivate all universities.
 
Noted environmentalist and OUTA former president Prof Purushottam Reddy noted that the then Chief Minister K Brahmanda Reddy had to taste the ire of the universities when his administration played with the autonomy of the universities. 

Similarly, when NTR as Chief Minister interfered with the university administration the high court found fault with him. He underlined the need for stepping up fight against private universities. 
State council for higher education former vice-chairman Prof S Mallesam and others spoke.