HYDERABAD: A division bench of the Hyderabad High Court on Friday directed the Centre to intervene in the dispute between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana state governments on continuation of the services of BR Ambedkar Open University and Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University to students of Andhra region.
The bench, comprising acting chief justice Dilip B Bhosale and justice SV Bhatt, made it clear that Andhra Pradesh government shall bear the salaries of the teaching and non-teaching staff working in the study centres of the two universities located in that state from August 2015.
It also directed that the registrars shall continue the services to the centres, including conduct of examinations, for students of AP.
While dealing with the petitions filed separately by the AP government, Prof P Chenna Reddy of Telugu University and a taken-up matter, the bench directed the Centre to frame the guidelines as per Section 75 of the AP Reorganization Act to settle the dispute between the two states within eight weeks. Both the universities are listed in the 10th Schedule of AP Reorganisation Act, 2014.
The AP government has sought continuation of services of the Telugu University at its campuses located at Rajahmundry, Srisailam and Kuchipudi in AP, which have been stopped by the Hyderabad-based university by an order dated August 19, 2015. Prof Chenna Reddy challenged his transfer to AP state in the middle of the academic year in spite of instructions from the governor.
The High Court has, suo motu, taken up a case with regard to the decision of Telangana government not to extend services of the Ambedkar Open University to the regional centres in AP.
On September 1, the bench directed that the secretaries of higher education of both the states hold a meeting on September 3 to find out an amicable solution to the dispute and inform the same to the court on Friday.
When the matters came up for hearing, the counsels of both the governments informed the bench that the authorities failed to settle the dispute.
Expressing dissatisfaction at the outcome of the meeting of authorities, the bench said it was inclined to pass an interim order in the interest of the students and faculty of both the universities.
The bench made it clear that the interim orders would remain in force till either the Centre takes a decision or final disposal of the cases pending before it, and posted the matter to October 30.