Make Osmania University closed campus, demands AISF OU Council
HYDERABAD: The leaders of the All India Students’ Federation (AISF) Osmania University Council submitted a petition to OU Registrar Professor P. Lakshminarayana on Wednesday, urging the university to become a closed campus and implement measures to safeguard the educational environment.
The AISF believes that as an open campus, the entry of outside vehicles has negatively impacted the academic atmosphere. Some outsiders enter the campus and engage in anti-social activities such as drug use, alcohol consumption, harassment of female students in hostels, theft, reckless bike riding, and unauthorised driving lessons. AISF leaders emphasised the necessity of converting OU into a closed campus in light of these incidents.
Nelli Satya, AISF Secretary and political science research student, said, “In the best interest of Osmania University, we, as AISF students, support the construction of a road connecting the NCC gate to the Adikmet Flyover. This will restrict the entry of outside vehicles and individuals into the OU premises. Additionally, we urge the university authorities to erect strong walls to protect university lands on the opposite side of the road.
Satya added, “Given the adverse effects of outside interference, including anti-social activities, the only viable solution is to transition OU into a closed campus.”
The student leaders also highlighted several issues faced by students due to recent events
- Intruders frequently breach the security of female students’ hostels and harass them.
- Individuals consume drugs and alcohol openly in OU’s sports grounds, landscape garden, and forest, posing a threat to students and littering the environment with broken bottles.
- Reckless bike riding and attacks on students within the OU premises, with groups like the “Pareshan Boys” causing disturbances near reading halls and hostels, disrupting students’ studies.
- External organisations hold meetings and conduct real estate dealings within OU, further compromising the university’s integrity.
CM Revanth Reddy reorganizes disaster management for Greater Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has decided to assign critical responsibilities to the Disaster Management Department within Greater Hyderabad. He has directed officials to implement structural changes and redistribute responsibilities accordingly. In a review meeting at the Secretariat on Monday evening, the Chief Minister discussed the reorganization with officials from Municipal Administration, HMDA, and Musi Development.
Expansion of disaster management responsibilities
Recognizing the geographic expansion of Hyderabad, the Chief Minister ordered the Disaster Management Department to extend its jurisdiction to the Outer Ring Road. He suggested including GHMC, 27 surrounding municipalities and corporations, and 33 gram panchayats within its service area. The department will be renamed the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring Protection (HYDRA). The Chief Minister proposed appointing a DIG-level officer as the director and SP-level officers as additional directors. He also recommended special teams from GHMC, HMDA, the Water Board, city traffic, and other departments to join this new division.
The Chief Minister emphasized the need for the Disaster Management Department to offer continuous services to city residents, not just during floods or emergencies. HYDRA should actively address all issues faced by Hyderabad’s citizens, including preserving the city’s tanks and ponds, protecting government properties from encroachments, and managing hoardings and flex banners. Additionally, HYDRA will oversee water pipelines, electricity supply lines, drainage, flood management, and traffic control.
Focus on heritage and infrastructure projects
Chief Minister Reddy directed the acceleration of the Musi River Development Project, aiming to elevate Hyderabad’s international reputation. He stressed the importance of working towards the government’s goal of transforming this project into a landmark. He also ordered officials to take necessary actions to restore historical buildings and structures within the city. The GHMC presented a PowerPoint on various heritage sites, such as the City Library, Charminar Ayurvedic Hospital, and Nizamia Observatory etc. The Chief Minister encouraged exploring ways to develop these sites for tourism and integrating feasible ones into the Musi River Development Project.
The Chief Minister instructed Chief Secretary Shantikumar to draft a comprehensive reorganization plan, including staffing, duties, and budget allocations for HYDRA. He also emphasized identifying key areas where the Disaster Management Department can enhance its operations.
The meeting included Chief Secretary Shantikumar, Principal Secretary of Municipal Administration and Urban Development Danakishore, GHMC Commissioner Amrapali, GHMC Vigilance Disaster Management Commissioner A.V. Ranganath, and Hyderabad Water Board MD Ashok Reddy.
