The Hindu : New Delhi News : Notices issued over St. Stephen’s appointments

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Friday, Oct 12, 2007
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New Delhi

Notices issued over St. Stephen’s appointments

Staff Reporter

Petition says appointment of Valson Thampu as OSD is illegal

NEW DELHI: The National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI) on Thursday issued notices to Delhi University, Chairman of the Governing Body and Supreme Council of St. Stephen’s College and the University Grants Commission on a petition alleging illegal appointments of college Principal Valson Thampu, Vice-Principal M.S. Frank and Bursar N. Raghunathan.

In its order, NCMEI said: “In view of the contentions raised… we find it expedient in the interest of maintaining the standards of excellence expected of educational institutions to issue notices to the respondents for the time being.”

As per the petition filed by one Sheetal P. Singh, the Supreme Council’s appointment of Mr. Thampu as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) was illegal, arbitrary and wholly unjustified.

“The Supreme Council advertised for the post of ‘Principal’ (after former Principal Anil Wilson took over as Vice-Chancellor of Himachal Pradesh University), but did not appoint a Principal. Instead, it appointed an ‘Officer on Special Duty’. The aforesaid action is against the constitution of St. Stephen’s College, which only authorises it to appoint a Principal,” read the petition. It was also pointed out in the petition that under Article 14 of the college constitution, it was the Principal who appointed the Vice-Principal. However as per the University, it was the Governing Body that appointed the Vice-Principal.

The special power given to the college constitution in this regard flowed from its minority status and in exercise of its minority rights. However, in a “blatant violation and misuse of minority rights” the present Vice-Principal Mr. Frank had not been appointed by the Principal, said the petition.

Also, since there was no mention of an OSD in the composition of the Governing Body of the college, the appointment of the OSD as Treasurer of the college was wholly unconstitutional, this in turn, made Mr. Raghunathan’s appointment as Bursar illegal since he was appointed by Mr. Thampu.

The petitioner has alleged that Mr. Thampu continued to hold dual positions -- as OSD of the college and a member of NCMEI for over four months -- and that he was not qualified to become the Principal as he did not possess the requisite qualification of a Ph.D.

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