Govt to amend JNTU Act

Education and IT Minister Nara Lokesh announced in the Legislative Council that the state government will introduce amendments to the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) Act, 2008, within the next month to enable the allocation of teaching and non-teaching staff between JNTU-Kakinada and the newly established JNTU-Gurajada, Vijayanagaram (JNTU-GV).

Responding to a question from member Palavalasa Vikranth regarding the legal framework under which JNTU-GV was established, the year of its formation, and any provisions for staff division or allocation between JNTU-Kakinada and JNTU-Gurajada, Lokesh provided a detailed explanation. He stated that JNTU-GV was created on January 12, 2022, through Act No. 22 of 2021, which amended the JNTU Act of 2008.

The minister highlighted a key issue: the 2008 Act's Section 45, an enabling clause for such divisions, was inadvertently omitted during earlier amendments, leading to significant legal complications. Problems have arisen as some employees are unwilling to relocate, while those who exercised options are not being relieved by the Vice-Chancellor, creating operational challenges. "We will complete the necessary amendments to Section 45 within a month to resolve these issues and facilitate smooth staff allocation," Lokesh assured the House. Addressing financial aspects under Section 46 of the Act, he explained that an audit is required, and once completed, the government will ensure full payments to the university without any gaps. Already, Rs. 119 crore has been transferred, with the balance to be released post-audit.

Lokesh emphasized the government's commitment to addressing these longstanding legal and administrative hurdles promptly, ensuring stability for both JNTU institutions and minimizing disruptions for staff and students. The proposed amendments aim to provide a clear legal pathway for equitable distribution of personnel and resources, supporting the effective functioning of the new university campus in Vijayanagaram.