HYDERABAD: After incidents of women facing harassment rocked two major central institutions in Hyderabad—National Institute of Nutrition and National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj—another incident has come to light from the state-run PVNR Telangana State Veterinary University(PVNRTSVU).
Last week on June 21, women scientist R Arunjyothi, working as Subject Matter Specialist (Home Science) at Krishi Vgyan Kendra(KVK) in Mamnoor, Warangal, submitted a written complaint to the Director of Extension, PVNRTSVU ST Viroji Rao, complaining against Programme Coordinator of KVK Mamnoor, Daida Krishna Prasad. In the four-page complaint, she alleged that Dr Prasad had verbally abused her and used foul and derogatory language while addressing her or referring to her in a conversation. He was also charged with using nick names while referring to Arunjyothi and issuing threats of transfer or deputation.
Arunjyothi also mentioned in her complaint that she had to face humiliation once, when the salaries for May 2018 were withheld at the disposal of Prasad and she asked him to release the salaries soon so that the monthly household payments can be done. Arunjyothi alleged that when she asked for salary she was mocked for having a family that depended a woman’s income. When contacted, Daida Krishna Prasad, who joined KVK Mamnoor just last month, said that he is being framed with false allegations for being sincere and exposing administrative lapses committed by his predecessor and Arunjyothi.
“When I joined KVK Mamnoor as Project Coordinator, I found various administrative lapses like attendance tampering and lack of upgradation of cash books and registers,” he said. “Moreover, in the last one month that I have been working here, I was out of station for 15 days as part of Krishi Kalyan Abhiyan tour.” Speaking to Express, ST Viroji Rao said that a four-member inquiry committee was formed which included two senior most women professors from the university. He further said that actions would depend on the inquiry report.