: Telangana State Eamcet -III, for which the notification is likely to be issued soon, will be conducted by the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) Hyderabad.
According to sources, the JNTUH Registrar, N. Yadaiah is likely to be the new Convenor and he will work under the newly appointed Vice Chancellor, Prof. A. Venugopal Reddy, who has vast experience of conducting the Post Graduate Engineering Common Entrance Test (PGECET) for several years. The present Convenor, N.V. Ramana Rao is unlikely to be given another chance as he is in the eye of the storm.
Long stint
The JNTU has been conducting the EAMCET for the last 17 years with Prof. Ramana Rao alone at the helm for the record 7{+t}{+h}year in a row in 2016. Before him Prof. E. Saibaba Reddy, Prof. LVSR Sarma, Prof. Satyanarayana Murthy and Prof. MRR Reddy were the Convenors with Prof. Sarma having the second longest stint of six years.
Officials told The Hindu on condition of anonymity that the Chief Minister, K. Chandrasekhar Rao preferred JNTUH given the experience, which will be crucial for the third test in view of the controversy.
Another factor considered was the integrity of Prof. Venugopal Reddy and his experience as the PGECET Convenor. Prof. Reddy along with the TSCHE Chairman, T. Papi Reddy will soon finalise the procedures for the exam.
The meeting the Chief Minister had with officials also discussed the possibility of conducting the online test but it was negated stating that additional pressure can’t be created on students who were already under pressure with the leakage.
“There will not be any change in the exam pattern to avoid pressure on students,” an official revealed adding that online exam would be considered from next year.
Despite being attacked by the opposition parties, the Chief Minister is said to have told the officials that only by being transparent, the government can instil confidence among students.
The Chief Minister is said to have stated that people will realise the government’s commitment in digging out the leakage and not compromising despite the fear of providing ammunition to the opposition parties.
On a philosophical note
The Chief Minister was also bit philosophical, an official said, sympathising with the students and blamed the involved parents for the fiasco.
The JNTU will have tough task now in gaining the confidence of students again and even a minor mistake is likely to be viewed through the prism of suspicion.
“Preparing the question paper and finding the right printer will be a big challenge to the new Convenor,” an official said but exuded confidence that the process will be smooth, and more importantly fair.
