Date:27/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/27/stories/2005042709470400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Koneru plays peacemaker

Staff Reporter

VIJAYAWADA: After protracted discussions with reservation category students and the university authorities, the Minister for Municipal Administration, Koneru Ranga Rao, said counselling would be resumed immediately and conducted as per GO No 123.

He said the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, would hold discussions with SC, ST, BC Doctors' Association leaders in the State capital in two to three days, when the Government would take a decision on whether or not to challenge the High Court's order with regard to GO No 44 in the Supreme Court.

"For the time being, counselling will begin. Reservation candidates have also agreed to this," the Minister said.

The university authorities began counselling at 6.30 p.m, about eight hours after it was suspended in the morning. Only 50 seats had been allocated till then.

The Meritorious Students Forum leader, L. Maheswar, also met the Minister and submitted a memorandum, saying GO No 123 was acceptable to them. Dr. Maheswar, however, said the university authorities were violating Presidential Order by not operating a separate State-wide roster to cover non-local seats. This would affect all categories of local candidates in a particular university area. He wanted the Minister to ensure that the anomaly was set right. Mr. Rao promised to look into the matter and directed the university authorities to take necessary action.