The conduct of EAMCET, this year, is likely to land in legal wrangles with both the AP and Telangana governments sticking to their respective stands that they had the legal authority to conduct the Common Entrance Tests (CETs).
The A.P. State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE) on Monday announced the dates of all the CETs of 2015 including the EAMCET on May 10 next year.
The APSCHE Chairman, L. Venugopal Reddy, claimed that the AP HRD Minister, Ganta Srinivasa Rao spoke to the Telangana Education Minister G. Jagadish Reddy, and got his consent. The TS Government is visibly annoyed with the APSCHE for dragging Mr. Jagadishawar Reddy into the controversy and said the Minister had never agreed for the common test since it had always maintained that it had the authority to conduct the CETs as per the A.P. Reorganisation Act.
The Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE) Chairman, T. Papi Reddy, said the Telangana Government had given the order on EAMCET and APSCHE's effort was to pre-empt it. Due to AP Government”’s stubborn attitude, students are being put to inconvenience and confusion,”he told this correspondent in an exclusive interview.
Officials say both the governments are interpreting the Reorganisation Act to their convenience. The AP Government only says APSCHE has the authority as TSCHE never existed on June 2, the appointed day of Telangana formation. Moreover, common admissions have to continue for 10 years in both the States.
But Telangana officials argue that admissions will be common and not the entrance tests. “We will continue with 15 per cent non-local reservation as per the Act," insisted Prof. Reddy. “How can such announcements be made unilaterally is the question raised by Telangana officials. With mistrust all around, it is better for both States to have separate tests”, observed an official.
“It is sure to end up in courts,” is the common refrain among officials.
