Academician, journalist and political commentator Ghanta Chakrapani has been appointed as the first Chairman of the Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC). Three other members were also appointed while the Governor is said to have rejected the names of few other members.

Prof. Chakrapani, who is presently the Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University (BRAOU) is a well-known intellectual face of the Telangana movement strongly arguing its case at the State and national level. Born in Yaswada village, which was submerged in the Lower Maneru Dam construction, he did his post-graduation in Sociology and Communication and Journalism from Osmania University. He started his journalism career after Intermediate and worked in all the popular Telugu newspapers before moving into academics. Recipient of national and international fellowships including the prestigious India China Institute fellowship, he worked on Globalisation and Inequalities in India and China. He published 12 books and 52 research articles. He also received the best teacher award in 2014.

Widely travelled around the world, Prof. Chakrapani made his mark in journalism reporting on inequalities in the society and later as a political commentator on television. He received wide appreciation for his unflinching support to the Telangana agitation and making a strong case for separate statehood. He will hold the TSPSC office for six years.

The constitution of the TSPSC was approved by the Governor with these members but he rejected recommendation of the government to nominate T. Srinivas, Dinesh Kumar (of Kakatiya University), Rajeshwar Reddy (OU) and advocates Sriranga Rao, Gopu Chandrashekhar Reddy.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – December 18th, 2014