TDP puts pressure on technical council chief

A few days back, when a group of TDP MPs went to meet him, they were apparently referred to the AICTE grievance cell. The TDP MPs were allegedly putting pressure on Nigam to withdraw the cancellation of accreditation to five engineering colleges and two polytechnics in Andhra Pradesh to enable them to begin their admission process for the coming academic year.

Nigam reportedly refused to budge and asked the delegation to take up the case with the AICTE grievance cell as per procedure. As a result, AP Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu wrote a “harsh letter of complaint” to Murli Manohar Joshi.

Upset over the fact that the AICTE Chairman had completely ignored their demand and status, the TDP MPs took a representation to the HRD Minister. They also reportedly threatened to bring a privilege motion in Parliament against Nigam.

The accreditation of the five engineering colleges and two polytechnics in AP had been withdrawn after they failed to comply with AICTE guidelines, which make it mandatory for such institutes to provide certain facilities to students.

The TDP MPs claimed they had requested the AICTE Chairman to partially withdraw the suspension order. “As a restricted measure, we suggested only 10-15 per cent admissions be allowed instead of completely shutting down admissions which affected students,” TDP MP Yerrain Naidu said, emphasising there was no fight but a “Parliament-like debate”.

Though Nigam is Joshi’s own appointees, the Minister is said have hauled him up.

The Chairman, who is known to be a stickler for rules, has run into trouble with other states as well. “He is being seen as a stumbling block, especially when states like Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh are trying to outdo each other in technical education,” sources in the Ministry said.

And knowing the obstacles on the way, the techno-savvy Chandrababu Naidu has been eying the AICTE top job for a person of his choice from the time of the United Front Government.