Andhra govt allowed to keep Telangana educational bodies shut

The Andhra Pradesh high court  today modified the order of a single judge who suspended the Government Order (GO) on closure of educational institutions in Telangana till December 18.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice AR Dave and Justice CV Nagarjuna Reddy gave liberty to the government to continue with the holidays for educational institutions.

On December 3, the government had announced closure of all educational institutions in view of the agitation for statehood to Telangana.

Some students of Osmania University here had moved the high court challenging the 15-day holiday, saying the closure will dilute standards in the institutions, and the curriculum may not be completed before the end of the academic year.

Besides, they argued the government cannot pass such omnibus orders.

Earlier in the day, Justice L Narasimha Reddy agreed with the petitioners' contention and suspended the order, prompting the government to approach the division bench.

The government contended that the judge could not assess the prevailing law and order situation and the repercussions of keeping the institutions open in view of the agitation.