In Visakhapatnam, Minister for Higher Education and Information Technology, Nara Lokesh, has disclosed that a vigilance inquiry is underway to uncover the alleged irregularities committed by former Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University, Prasada Reddy. The probe’s report is expected within the next 45 days, and stringent action will be taken based on its findings.
During the Question Hour at the AP Legislative Assembly on Friday, Lokesh addressed queries from Visakhapatnam City MLAs Velagapudi Ramakrishna Babu, Gana Babu, and Vamsi Krishna Srinivas. He asserted that over the past five years, YSRCP activists were indiscriminately appointed to various posts in government universities across Andhra Pradesh. A special manpower audit is currently being conducted, with results expected within the next 30 days. Strict action will follow against ineligible appointees.
Lokesh also claimed that education standards in the state had declined during the previous YSRCP regime. He cited the example of Andhra University, which was ranked 29th in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) rankings in 2019 but slipped to 76th by 2023. However, after the coalition government came to power, it improved to the 41st rank. Lokesh expressed a goal to elevate the university among the top 10 institutions.
Lastly, Lokesh assured the MLAs that the centenary celebrations of AU would be conducted in a grand manner.
