ANANTAPUR: The screening committee shortlisted three persons for the post of vice-chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University-Anantapur. The vice-chancellor post is lying vacant for past nine months following death of vice-chancellor M. M.M. Sarcar in a road mishap. The Sri Krishnadevaraya University vice-chancellor Prof. K. Rajagopal was acting as incharge vice-chancellor.

The state government had formed three-member expert committee to shortlist three names from the aspirants. More than 40 professors across the county applied for the vice-chancellor post of prestigious university in the state. A majority of them were from JNTU-Hyderabad, Osmania University, JNTU Kakinada, SV University and other varsities from the different Telugu-speaking states applied for the post. The post is currently vacant due to the sudden demise of M.M.M. Sarcar in February after he met with an accident near Gajarampalle, Pamidi mandal, on NH-44 Road in the district. He was posted on October 26, 2015.

Sources revealed three professors were shortlisted by the search committee and sent to the government. Though, indications of no opportunity for local professors, a senior professor was among the trio. A professor Dr Sreenivas from Jawaharlal Nehru University-Kakinada, Dr Padmavati from Sri Venkateswara University and Dr Sudarshan Rao professor from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University-Anantapur were listed out for the shortlist.

Previously, Mr Sarcar from Vizag was accommodated to balance the caste equations as a member of a minority section and also BCs. While only JNTU-A VC post was lying vacant, the government decision would be select vice-chancellor among three aspirants. A professor who couldn’t get opportunity during previous phases was seriously working out to appease the government for the post from the district while another aspirant was in the fray through Chief Minister Office.