AP Govt decides to rename NTR Varsity after YSR

The YSRCP Government in AP is all set to introduce an amendment bill in the Assembly today to change the name of the NTR University of Health Sciences as the YSR Health University. This is despite the fact that former Chief Minister NTR has a strong bond with this medical university since its inception.

Amaravati (AP): The Jagan Mohan Reddy Government in Andhra Pradesh, in an yet another controversial decision, is all set to introduce an amendment bill in the Assembly today to change the name of the NTR University of Health Sciences as the YSR Health University. This is despite the fact that former Chief Minister NTR has a strong bond with this medical university from its establishment to developing it into an institution having national-level recognition.

The AP Cabinet has approved the renaming of the Vijayawada-based NTR University online last night. The proposed change in the name of the Health University marks a steadfast policy taken by Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy to do away with programmes and institutions brought forward by the rival Telugu Desam Party during its previous regimes under both NTR and Chandrababu Naidu. Forming 3 Capitals in the name of decentralisation is one of these decisions.

After NTR passed away, the Government named the health university after him in 1996. Despite the change of Chief Ministers belonging to different parties, the Health University retained its identity for the past 24 years. The Jagan Reddy government's decision to rename the NTR Health University drew wide criticism.

Prior to the establishment of NTR university, all the state medical colleges were under the respective district universities. Degrees were awarded to students through them. When NTR was the chief minister, it was decided that there should be a separate university for medical education. With this, a health university was established in the name of AP University of Health Sciences on November 1, 1986.

Later, the name of the university was changed to NTR Arogya University through a special gazette notification on 8 January 1996 during Chandrababu Naidu's regime. The name was changed to Dr. NTR Health University during YS Rajasekhar Reddy's tenure. Now the Jagan Mohan Reddy government is bent on changing the name to YSR Health University once again. Recently, the Government also withdrew Rs 400 cr funds that belong to the health university.