Telangana govt directs PJTAU to scrap BSc Hons Horticulture programme

The Telangana government has directed Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University to withdraw its BSc (Hons) Horticulture programme at Aswaraopet. The decision follows objections from Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University ahead of admissions counselling scheduled from August 27 to 29.

Hyderabad: A day before admissions counselling is to commence, the State government on Wednesday directed the Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University (PJTAU) to immediately withdraw the university’s decision to introduce the BSc (Hons) Horticulture programme at College of Agriculture, Aswaraopet in Bhadradri Kothagudem district.

An order to this effect has been issued by Agricultural Production Commissioner and Secretary to Government (Agriculture and Co-Operation department) K Surendra Mohan. The move comes as the Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University (SKLTGHU) has raised objections to PJTAU introducing the horticulture programme when there is a specialised horticultural university in the State.

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Earlier, the PJTAU invited applications from TG EAPCET-qualified candidates for admissions to regular seats in BSc (Hons) Agriculture, BSc (Hons) Horticulture, and BTech Food Technology courses offered at its 13 colleges. The counselling is scheduled to be held from August 27 to 29.

“How can the PJTAU announce admissions even to BSc (Hons) Horticulture with 30 seats in College of Agriculture, Aswaraopet, when there is a specialised Horticultural University that has been offering the horticulture degree programme for a long time? The government has now directed the agricultural university to stop such admissions,” said a senior SKLTGHU official.