Hyderabad, Aug. 12 -- Nearly half of Telangana's government degree colleges are functioning without regular principals, with in-charge officials holding additional responsibility, raising concerns over administration and academic supervision, a lecturers' body has said.

Of the 159 government degree colleges in the state, 75 do not have regular principals, according to the Qualified Government Degree Lecturers Association (QGDLA). The association said the vacancies were affecting day-to-day administration, admissions and academic monitoring, with a single principal in some cases overseeing two or even three colleges.

A government degree lecturer, who did not wish to be identified, said a principal has to handle admissions, examinations, ...