A delegation of Andhra Pradesh Ministers, led by Deputy Chief Minister, K.E. Krishnamurthy, called on Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan on Wednesday and lodged a protest against the “unilateral decision” of the Telangana government in bifurcating Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University.
Agriculture Minister, P. Pulla Rao, Medical and Health Minister Kamineni Srinivas, Municipal Administration Minister P. Narayana ,and Communications Advisor to Andhra Pradesh Government, Parkala Prabhakar were the other members of the delegation.
Talking to reporters after submitting a memorandum to the Governor at Raj Bhavan here on Tuesday, Mr. Krishnamurthy said the Telangana government acted hastily in bifurcating Agricultural University and creating P.V. Narasimha Rao Telangana State Veterinary University. The decision was without the consent of the Andhra Pradesh government, unconstitutional and in violation of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act.
He said the Andhra Pradesh government would be put to enormous loss and would lose the right to utilise 20 scientific institutions and laboratories which function under the aegis of the agricultural university. Observing that Section 95 of the AP Reorganisation Act provides equal opportunities to students of both the States, he said Andhra Pradesh government viewed the action of the Telangana government seriously.
The Deputy Chief Minister said the delegation lodged a protest with the Governor and urged him to convene a meeting of the Chief Secretaries or officials of the two States to resolve the issue. They also requested the Governor to prevail upon Telangana government from going ahead with bifurcation of such institutions as it would be detrimental to the interests of Andhra Pradesh.
Mr. Pulla Rao said Mr. Narasimhan promised to intervene and do justice. He also assured them that he would instruct the Telangana government not to appoint the vice-chancellor and take the matter to the notice of the Union government. He also promised to ensure that Section 95 of the AP Reorganisation Act was protected. The delegation also requested the Governor to advise the Telangana government not to issue such controversial GOs.
Mr. Prabhakar said the Governor had informed them that he had written to the Telangana government to fully honour Section 95 and get proper permissions before issuing GOs.
