No roof of its own for TGCHE; struggles for essential services

Over 35 years since its formation, the Telangana State Council of Higher Education still operates from a rented university building. With unresolved infrastructure issues, the Council has requested government approval to relocate to the Hermitage Office Complex in Nampally.

Hyderabad: More than three and half decades into its establishment with a vision to shape the future of higher education, the Telangana Council of Higher Education (TGCHE) continues to operate without its own land and building.

The TGCHE, which plays a vital role as a coordinating body between the UGC, State government and Universities, is operating from the Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University (JNAFAU) owned building in Masab Tank.

---

Apart from the TGCHE, the building houses offices of Telangana Admission and Fee Regulatory Committee, DOST and varsity’s classrooms, workshops and laboratories.

These offices, just like any other tenant in the city who have no control over essential services, have been facing water supply issues despite regularly footing the water and other essential services bills. In addition, there is a parking space and power backup issue.

According to the TGCHE sources, the University that has control over the water supply does not supply water till 11 am, which has also not been consistent in the summer season despite ordering water tankers.

“We never know when the taps will run dry. If that happens, we have to make repeated requests to the university to supply water,” sources said.

Speaking to ‘Telangana Today’, JNAFAU in-charge Vice Chancellor, Prof. T Gangadhar said issues such as water supply and other concerns were not brought to his attention. However, if there were any such issues, he assured that they would be addressed through discussion.

The present building, built on a 1,500 sq yard land owned by the Department of Technical Education, was given to the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh Council of Higher Education on a rental basis in February 2005. After Telangana came into being and TGCHE formation, the Council commenced its operations from the same building,

In the past, the University served notices on the TGCHE to vacate their building citing dearth of space for classrooms and laboratories for its students. In an attempt to resolve the issue between the TGCHE and JNAFAU, the State government in the past had proposed transferring the building to the TGCHE for Rs.6.65 crore to be paid to the University towards building.

In fact, the Technical Education department had issued a proceeding, giving permission and NoC for alienation of the land of 1,500 square yard. It asked the Council to write to the Hyderabad District Collector for transfer of land on the TGCHE’s name. However, the JNAFAU staunchly opposed the move, stalling the entire process.

Given the issue, the Council has once again approached the government for a permanent resolution. In response, officials inspected office availability, including in the SCERT complex in Basheer bagh, Buddha Bhavan, Municipal Director’s office in Masab Tank and Hermitage Office Complex in Nampally.

“We have written to the government expressing the Council’s willingness to take over the third floor in the Hermitage Office Complex. We are awaiting government approval,” a senior official said.