Corporate Lobby Responsible For EAMCET Mess

Mohammed Younus / Hyderabad : Even as the tussle between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh governments continues unabated over who should conduct EAMCET and other common entrance tests, educationists in the state are pointing a finger of suspicion at the corporate lobby for the stalemate. They are of the firm belief that the real beneficiaries of this mess appear to be the corporate educational institutions, who have been batting on behalf of Andhra Pradesh in various fora to ensure that the common examinations are conducted only by the Andhra Pradesh Council of Higher Education.

Educationists in the State are of the belief that the real beneficiaries of this mess are corporate educational institutions who have been batting on behalf of Andhra Pradesh in various fora to ensure that common exams are conducted only by APSCHE 

They observed that the nexus between greedy corporate institutions and government had flourished unchallenged for decades. Telangana Political JAC chairman Prof M Kodandaram said that there was absolutely no harm if the test is conducted by the TS Council of Higher Education and it has legal sanctity for that. He lamented that the only reason why Andhra Pradesh government was opposing this idea is that they could neither continue manipulation in the examinations nor fix ranks for CET examinations like EAMCET, if it is conducted by the Telangana government.

He said, “The business of corporate educational institutions is directly linked to good ranks. There has been a nexus between corporates and previous governments in the undivided State. They then used to run the show. This education mafia was resorting to manipulation in various examinations in such a way that only certain institutions used to get good ranks, and if the TS government conducts the test, these corporate managements would be out of business.” 

TSCHE vice-chairman S Mallesh expressing his doubts on the over-enthusiastic lobbying by AP government for conducting EAMCET said, “There must be some hidden agenda that is driving AP government to demand holding of common CETs in two States. Otherwise, the admission procedure would remain the same as in the past and students from other State could get admissions in the 15 per cent open quota.” He said that Section 75 of the AP Reorganisation Act states that institutions listed under the schedule 10 should serve both the states without any discrimination. “Section 95 says that the admission procedure should be continued as in the past in light of Article 371 D of Indian Constitution,” he added. 

He said, “We have decided to go separately for CETs after taking the advice of the Telangana Advocate General. We are clear in our stand.” A higher official from Telangana government on the condition of anonymity, however, said that a minister in the AP cabinet has been lobbying hard for the common test for both the States to be conducted by APCHE. On the other hand, AP Council chairman L Venugopal Reddy said that whatever the AP government has decided was as per the Act and the council was only acting as a nodal agency to do whatever it has been directed to do.

Telangana Engineering and Professional College Managements Association chairman N Gautham Rao said that there would be absolutely no problem if the Telangana Higher Education Council conducts the test separately. The apprehension that AP students would be at loss if the test is conducted separately is unfounded and false notion, he said adding, “Whoever conducts the test, as per the Reorganization Act, they have to give 15 per cent open quota for the students of both the States.” 

What Act Says
-Section 75 of the Act says that institutions listed under schedule 10 would belong to the State where they are located.
-Such institutions should extend their services to the other State without any discrimination
-Section 95 of the Act says that common admission procedure should be followed in all common examinations with 15 per cent open quota in accordance with the spirit of Article 371 D of Indian Constitution for ten years

StakeHolders
-Corporate institutions for better ranks
-Students of both the States appearing for the Test and their parents
-Engineering colleges in both the States, especially in and around Hyderabad
-Coaching institutions giving training for various CETs

Telangana Public Service Commission To Change Syllabus

Mohammed Younus / Hyderabad : An experts’ committee set up by the Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC) would hold its first meeting this week to discuss guidelines for formulating a new syllabus for competitive examinations. The 25-member committee headed by noted educationist G Haragopal would examine the present pattern of examination and formulate its own syllabus. The scheme of syllabus includes frame work of examination for candidates appearing for around 22 examinations that fall under the jurisdiction of TSPSC. 

It includes the number of questions, level of assessment and depth of questioning. After designing a suitable scheme, it would be presented to the government for approval. The social sciences part of the existing syllabus is set to change as per the policy decision of the Telangana government with an intention to include the history, culture, geography, art and literature pertaining to Telangana region. The experts’ committee includes professors of Geography, History, Literature and other social sciences.

The TSPSC needs its own syllabus that encompasses all geopolitical details of the state, a high official in the government on the condition of anonymity said, adding that that the syllabus is likely to change for a 200-mark single social sciences paper. He said that all competing candidates would anyhow understand the Constitution and history, but they should also know about the geo-political and social aspects of Telangana state as well.

The existing pattern of the examination consists of four parts out of which two parts pertain to social history and contemporary problems and rural development in the state for Group 2 examinations. On the other hand, for Group 1 examinations, the Paper II contains History and Cultural Heritage of India and Andhra Pradesh which would be replaced with that of Telangana.

Where would be the change?
Group 1
-Paper 2 of the Main examination carries questions on History and 
Cultural heritage of India along with AP
-It also carries questions on various social and cultural movements too

Group 2
-Paper 2 : Social and Cultural History of Andhra Pradesh would be replaced with that of Telagana
-Paper 2 consists of religious composition, movements in the state, 
Asafjahi dynasty, communist movement, end of Nizam’s rule and 
formation of Andhra Pradesh
-Other part comprises of questions on development aspects of the AP

Group 4
-Paper 1 of the General Studies consists of questions on history and 
culture of the state

Eamcet Schedule Very Soon

Metro news / hyderabad : Amidst a raging controversy, the State government on Monday said that the Telangana State Higher Education Council would release the schedule for EAMCET and other common entrance tests soon. As expected, EAMCET would be conducted by the TS council and if AP students want seats in Telangana, they would have to appear in the test conducted by TS council. The admission procedure after the results, however, would remain the same as in past.

Putting to rest apprehensions among students and parents, Education Minister G Jagadish Reddy said that the decision of Telangana government was conveyed to Governor E S L Narasimhan and the issue was later discussed extensively with Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao. He said, “The Telangana government is very much authorized to hold these tests on its own as per the A P Reorganization Act.” He appealed to the students not to panic. He, however, said that even at this juncture if the A P government comes forward seeking the help of TS, “Our council will conduct test for students of AP along with Telangana.”

He reiterated that the stance of state government was repeatedly put forth before the Governor several times and the dates would be finalized in a day. He said that the ten districts of Telangana do not come under the jurisdiction of the AP Council and hence it was not authorized to conduct the test. Meanwhile, G Jagadish Reddy on Monday released the newly designed logo of Telangana State Board of Intermediate Education at the board office.

The logo contains the Kakatiya Arch representing the state of Telangana encircled with leaves emerging from the book in the bottom, representing the educational growth. The open book represents learning and the rising Sun represents the enlightenment of students with knowledge. The floral design around the logo represents the state festival Batukamma. The pink color represents friendship and prosperity.

Challenges Ahead TSPSC

Mohammed Younus / Hyderabad : Though the State government has appointed the chairman and members for the Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC), the commission is facing three immediate challenges including insufficient staff, inadequate funds and inadequate space for it to carry out designated tasks. The commission requires about 350 employees for about 75 sections and a lot of space to accommodate them.

It is learnt that the commission officials have already written about the issue to the government, but there seems to be no breakthrough on this front. The Telangana State Public Service Commission as of now comprises a chairman, three members and a few other employees. On the other hand, out of 400 employees working with APPSC nearly 122 employees belong to Telangana. Presently, the second and third floors in the building are being used by TSPSC, while the fourth and fifth floors are being used by APPSC. 

Informed sources in the commission said that if the process of bifurcation starts, the allotment of space also needs to be finalised at the earliest. Another major issue for the commission is allocation of sufficient funds. All activities of the commission require sufficient funding by the State government. The budget allocation may take place after the issue of staff recruitment is resolved.

An officer in the commission, who did not wish to be named, said that the commission had already written about funds to Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao. A letter was also sent asking for bifurcation of employees and to fulfill the requirement of staff to the commission.
He said that until and unless the existing hurdles were cleared, the commission could not take off and activities like releasing notification would also take more time.

Requirements of the Commission
-Staff, space and funds are major requirements
-Commission requires almost 75 sections
-Each section requires section officer, two assistant section officers, junior assistants and attenders
-Adequate space to accommodate employees
-Sufficient funds to for the commission

Stalemate Continues

Hyderabad: Telangana and Andhra Pradesh governments could not come to an agreement on the contentious issue of conducting Eamcet, even after the intervention of Governor ESL Narasimhan. Sources said that Telangana Education Minister G Jagadish Reddy reiterated that Eamcet-15 will be conducted by his government and if needed TS Higher Education Council (TSCHE) will extend help.

He explained the stance of TS government on Eamcet and legal authenticity of it to the Governor. Prior to the meeting with the Governor, Reddy held a meeting to decide the dates for CETs including Eamcet with TSCHE. Meanwhile, earlier in the day, Andhra Pradesh HRD Minister G Srinivas Rao conducted a review meeting with APSCHE chairman L Venugopal Reddy, Law Secretary Narayana Reddy and others. AP government has decided to go to the court on the GO 32 issued by Telangana government which stated to conduct CETs and extended support to the AP if needed.

After taking a legal advice, he called upon Governor and explained the AP government’s point of view on Eamcet and other CETs. With both the governments sticking to their respective stands upon holding the crucial test separately, the issue may land in courts. The controversy over the conduct of Eamcet has attained prominence ever since the APSCHE has announced the schedule for various common entrance tests including Eamcet.

Wakf Lands In Telangana

Mohammed Younus / Hyderabad : The absence of a Wakf tribunal has been resulting in piling up of complaints of Wakf property encroachments across the city and state since last two years. Encroachers are taking advantage of official apathy and the incidents of grabbing the Wakf properties are growing in number. Though the state government vowed to stop encroachment on government and Wakf lands and properties, nothing concrete seems to have done in this regard.

Civil society groups are raising concerns over the loss of thousands of acre of land belonging to Wakf institutions across the state. They are also say that the lack of right platform to resolve the legal disputes over the encroachments. Complaints are piling up in newly constituted Telangana State Wakf Board which was already filled with pending cases related to land grabbing and encroachments. 

Recently formed Wakf Joint Action Committee (JAC) convener Nayeemullah Shareef said that the previous government had gradually made the Wakf Tribunal defunct and added that it was lying idle without functions. Even after the formation of new state the Tribunal was not constituted, he noted. He said that if the Wakf properties and lands were taken back from their encroachers the income from those lands would be sufficient for the welfare of lakhs of people from the minority community. He said, “out of 10,000 acre Wakf land in Adilabad, 3,700 was grabbed by the private parties. 

In Medak district too, out of 23,900 acre of Wakf land, only 128 acre is safe and the remaining land was encroached by the land grabbers.” Advocating for the early disposal of encroachment cases, Shareef said that the Tribunal was mandatory for resolving the issues on a war footing so that the poor people from the minority community could get benefit. In Hyderabad district, the case related to Lanco Hills case is one of the landmark cases of Wakf land encroachment. Lanco Hills was constructed on 104 acres out of a total land 1,654 acre Wakf land belonging to Dargah Hussain Shah Wali.

According to the Wakf Board Special Officer Jalaluddin Akbar agreed that the board was unable to function to its fullest capacity due to lack of adequate number of employees. He said that board would start functioning properly by the end of March this year.

Milad For A Cause

Mohammed Younus / Hyderabad : Social groups are busy asking the masses not to have wild celebrations on Milad-un-Nabi in the city and told them to remember that the occasion was a solemn on and should be used spread harmony and do social good like organising blood donation camps and conduct educational competitions for school children. As per the lunar calendar Milad-un-Nabi is on January 4 and masses are gearing up to discourage the conduct of ostentatious events in the city. 

Organisations like FOCUSS (Forum for Cultural Up gradation and Social Service) and Irshadul Muslimeen are jointly organizing a blood donation camp for the fourth consecutive year now. One of the organisers Ahsan Bin Mohammed said that the blood donation camp is organised with the help of Thalassemia Sickle Cell Society in city and the donated blood would be given to Thalassemia patients. He said that the number of donors has been on the rise every year and this year they were expecting around 2,000 units of blood. 

“Previously, 1,500 people turned up for blood donation which helped hundreds of Thalassemia patients in the city,” he said. The event organiser said that they wanted to draw the attention of crowds towards social service, rather than taking out processions on the occasion of Milad. It has been reported that this year Deputy Chief Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali, ACB director General A K Khan and Commissioner Minority Welfare Omar Jaleel will be attending the camp scheduled to be held at Asafia Library on January 4.