"I Specifically Asked for This Ministry": Minister Nara Lokesh
Andhra Pradesh Minister for Education, Nara Lokesh, has alleged that former Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy appointed his family members and party workers as vice-chancellors of universities, which, according to him, led to a decline in higher education standards in the state. Lokesh stated that the previous Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government had prioritized higher education and implemented several reforms.
During a short-duration discussion in the Legislative Council on education sector reforms, Lokesh clarified that he does not consider the education portfolio a burden but rather a responsibility. “When the Chief Minister asked me which department I wanted, I requested a challenging portfolio. As part of that, I specifically asked for the Education Department. I believe that only education can bridge inequalities,” he explained.
Expressing concern over the deterioration of university rankings, Lokesh pointed out that from 2014 to 2019, nine government universities in the state were ranked within the top 200 in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). However, he noted that the number has now dropped to five. He cited Andhra University (AU) as an example, stating that its ranking slipped from 29 in 2019 to 41 at present. Similarly, Sri Venkateswara University (SVU), which was ranked 72, has now fallen within the 100-150 range. On a positive note, he mentioned that Acharya Nagarjuna University (ANU), which was previously not ranked, has now secured the 97th position in 2024.
Lokesh also highlighted that institutions such as Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) Anantapur, JNTU Kakinada, Sri Krishnadevaraya University (SKU), and Padmavathi Women’s University did not make it to the NIRF rankings. He accused the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government of lacking transparency in vice-chancellor appointments. Lokesh contrasted this with the TDP government's approach, claiming that they had appointed experienced professionals from institutions like IIT Kharagpur and NIT Warangal as vice-chancellors.
He further alleged that a vice-chancellor appointed by the TDP government was later recruited by Pondicherry Central University, emphasizing that none of their appointees were relatives or friends of TDP leaders. Lokesh asserted that the current government’s priority is to restore the lost glory of state universities.
Additionally, he mentioned that while the previous government had attempted to make the Chief Minister the Chancellor of universities, they have now reversed that decision, reinstating the Governor as the Chancellor, in line with traditional practices.
