Strengthen govt universities, demands Civil Societies JAC

Hanamkonda: The Joint Action Committee of Civil Societies leaders demanded the TRS government to strengthen the government universities in the State instead of allowing corporate houses to set up universities.

Speaking at a meeting of JAC office bearers in Hanamkonda on Thursday, the JAC honorary chairman Prof K Venkata Narayana said nine universities functioning in Telangana were on the verge of becoming defunct due to funds crunch and lack of faculty.

Under this situation allowing private universities would further worsen their condition. He wanted the State government to establish new universities in all the 31 districts to take the higher education within the reach of all.

The JAC convener T Sheshu complained that private universities would lead to commercialisation of higher education. The private universities would not provide reservations and give least priority to social sciences and that would affect future of students from SC/ST/BC, minority and poorer sections.

Hence the TRS government should review its decision of allowing private universities in the State, the JAC leaders said. The JAC chairman P Sudhakar, leaders T Purender, K Pavan, P Madhu and others were present.