VISAKHAPATNAM: The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has issued notices to Andhra University Vice-Chancellor and Visakhapatnam City Police Commissioner over caste discrimination allegations leveled by complainant Yadala Praveen Kumar.
The commission took cognizance of a complaint filed by Praveen Kumar, a PhD student, alleging prolonged delay in scholarship payments, negligence in submission of utilization certificates and caste-based discrimination.
According to the complaint, he has not received his stipend for the past eight to nine months. He expressed serious displeasure over Andhra University’s failure to submit a report despite earlier directions issued by him seeking a response within 15 days.
In fresh notices issued on May 13, the commission warned that continued neglect could prompt action under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. It is further stated that, according to Article 338 of the Constitution, the commission has the same powers as a civil court and can issue subpoenas if the answers are not submitted within the specified time.
The NCSC also clarified that as per the Union Ministry of Social Justice guidelines, universities are responsible for ensuring scholarship payments from their own funds even if grants from the Center are delayed. The Commission stated that further action, including proceedings under the SC/ST Atrocities Act, may be considered depending on the response received from the authorities.
