UP Minister's kin's appointment in varsity under quota triggers debate

Lucknow: UP Minister for Basic education Satish Chandra Dwiwedi's brother Arun Dwivedi has been appointed as an assistant professor in the psychology department from the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) quota in the state-run Siddhartha University, sparking controversy.

There were two posts of assistant professor for Psychology filled by Dr Harendra Sharma from the OBC quota and Dr Arun Kumar Dwivedi from the EWS category.

VC Dr Surendra Dubey, whose term was supposed to end on May 21 but was extended by the government until the appointment of the regular VC, said that of the 150 applications received, ten were shortlisted, and Arun Dwiwedi ranked second after the interview.

"The ten candidates were called for interview and Arun Dwiwedi ranked second. We were not aware of his relationship with the minister," the vice-chancellor said.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra alleged on her Facebook post that while thousands of teachers are waiting for their jobs, the state education minister had found 'opportunity in adversity and managed a job for his brother.

She termed the incident as a joke on the poor and weaker sections of society.