Kerala - Kottayam   

MG University teachers' association seeks Vigilance probe

Staff Reporter

Irregularity in appointments to departments alleged

KOTTAYAM: Mahatma Gandhi University Teachers' Association (MGUTA) has sought a comprehensive Vigilance inquiry into the appointments made in the past two years to the university departments.

`Carefully orchestrated'

Speaking to mediapersons, association leaders alleged that the reported incidents which culminated in the Vice-Chancellor being admitted to a private hospital, was `carefully orchestrated and enacted to deflect the attention from the real issues.'

According to V.C. Harris, director, School of Letters, there was a concerted effort to turn the issue of irregularity in appointments into a law and order problem.

The appointments to the School of Letters, the School of Indian Legal Thought and recently to the School of International Relations and Politics (SIRP) during the past few months were in contravention to the university statute, the judgments of the Kerala High Court and the directive of the Supreme Court.

"In fact, in most cases, the departments concerned were not even consulted," he said.

The controversial appointment to the School of International Relations and Politics was made against the vacancy of K.N. Harilal, currently with the Planning Board.

He was formally relieved on January 6, 2007 and the vacancy was created with effect from that date.

"However, the university authorities, without following the formalities, hurriedly made an appointment invoking an invalid list," he said.

"This was an attempt to appoint a lecturer through the backdoor violating even the basic principles of appointment," he added.

`Revoke appointment'

K.M. Krishnan, secretary of the association called upon the Chancellor, the Chief Minister and the University authorities to revoke the appointment order immediately and issue a fresh notification in accordance to university statutes and regulations.

Association leaders pointed out that the students, after marching to the Vice-Chancellor's residence, had disbursed peacefully as was reported by various news channels, Mr. Harris said.

It was after this that the Vice-Chancellor was taken to the hospital, he said.

The hospital authorities have advised rest for the Vice-Chancellor as her blood pressure readings fluctuated, according to Pro-Vice Chancellor K.K. Unuskutty.

In another related development, the police released on bail four students who were taken into custody on Wednesday night in connection with the alleged violence on the campus.

Meanwhile, a university press note said all rank lists had a validity of one year.

The appointments were made based on legal advice. In another statement, university syndicate members called upon the agitating students and teachers to desist from their agitation.

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