ANGRAU bifurcation, AP ministers complain

Hyderabad, Aug 6 (INN): A delegation of ministers of Andhra Pradesh Government led by Deputy Chief Minister KE Krishnamurthy submitted a memorandum to Governor ESL Narasimhan at Raj Bhavan on Wednesday protesting Telangana government's decision to bifurcate Acharya N.G Ranga Agricultural University.

Agriculture Minister P. Pulla Rao, Municipal Administration P Narayana and Government Advisor Dr. Parakala Prabhakar were also part of the delegation. The Deputy Chief Minister said, 'GO. Ms. No.7 for bifurcating Acharya N.G Ranga Agricultural University and GO. Ms. No.1 for the creation of P.V Narasimha Rao Telangana State Veterinary University, do not have any legal basis according to the AP Reorganisation Act and are not supported by any provisions of the Act or Law.' He added that they are in gross violation of the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014.

As per the AP Reorganisation Act, certain institutions were kept in Schedule 9 and the other institutions in Schedule 10. For institutions under Schedule 9, a procedure has already been evolved and a committee has been set up headed by Retired IAS Sheela Bhide for apportioning the Assets and Liabilities.

Under Schedule 10 institutions, no such procedure has been established and section 75 of the Act says these institutions can continue to provide facilities for people of the other state, without any bias.

It only talks of provision of services but no plan or procedure for bifurcation of the institutions, Krishna Murthy said. In fact, there are institutions that are not mentioned in either of the Schedules and these would automatically devolve to the continuing state, which is the residuary AP and therefore, should belong to AP.

Addressing media persons, AP ministers said that bifurcation of institutions not included in the Schedules cannot happen in a manner that proves advantageous to one state and affect the others.

The reference to the distribution of posts in 58:42 ratio is applicable to Schedule 9 institutions. However, when it came to extension, research and education, the Telangana government has decided unilaterally that location-specific needs be met and went ahead by dividing Archarya N.G Ranga Agricultural University and Sri Venkateswara University and devolvement of institutions to successor states.

Dr Parakala Prabhakar said such a power is not mentioned in the Act. Any unilateral action to tinker with these institutions will seriously affect the equality of opportunities for the students of Andhra Pradesh, they said.

Quoting Section 95 of the Act, Dr Parakala Prabhakar said: 'States that in order to ensure equal opportunities for quality higher education to all students in both the state, the existing admission quotas in all govt and private, technical and medical, aided or unaided institutions, in so-far be provided under Article 371D of the Constitution shall continue for a period of 10 years.

The AP ministers said that the Telangana government had earlier assured the Governor that it would abide by the Act and has gone against it. The ministers also requested the Governor to advise the Telangana government not to go ahead with such bifurcation of these institutions that would be detrimental to the interests of AP.