Hyderabad: Allegations of rampant corruption in JNTU-H’s building information and communication systems (BICS) department sparked widespread protests led by the Students Protection Forum.
Demonstrators gathered outside the university’s administrative building on Friday, demanding an immediate inquiry into leaked audio recordings that purportedly exposed officials distributing kickbacks.
“Bribes linked to project percentages have become a regular affair in the BICS department,” claimed student leader Brahmam Goud. “Tender approvals are only given to contractors who agree to predetermined cuts, and this has been going on for the past six months. It’s unacceptable,” he said.
The protestors alleged that a portion of the illicit funds was channelled to a former IAS officer who had previously served as in-charge vice-chancellor. “This corruption has become an open secret across campus,” said Shivakrishna, another student leader. “The recent audio recordings confirm what everyone suspected—systematic exploitation by those in power.”
The students also raised concerns about the misuse of the RSQ-1 hostel, stating that it was occupied by individuals who had completed their degrees. “Many owe fees ranging from `50,000 to `70,000,” V. Siddharth, a student representative told Deccan Chronicle.
The protestors demanded immediate eviction of unauthorised occupants and called for the hostel’s conversion into a boys’ hostel for rural students.
Attention was also drawn to the plight of underpaid housekeeping staff. “The administration has ignored repeated appeals to raise salaries despite the rising cost of living,” Goud said.
University officials accepted a memorandum detailing the students’ demands during the protest. “If the administration fails to act, we will escalate our protest. We are prepared to boycott classes and shut down the university,” Shivakrishna said.
