The Hindu : New Delhi News : Stephen’s revokes all of Thampu’s decisions

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Stephen’s revokes all of Thampu’s decisions

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: The increase in the admission quota for the Christian community at Delhi University’s St. Stephen’s College from 32 per cent to 40 per cent as decided before the academic session last year may no longer be applicable.

The Supreme Council of the college has decided to rescind all decisions taken in respect of the appointment of Valson Thampu as Officer on Special Duty officiating as Principal and all consequential administrative decisions and arrangements emanating there from. This was announced at a press conference in the college on Thursday.

Just before the 2007-08 academic year, Mr. Thampu had announced that the admission quota for Christians in the college was being increased from 32 per cent to 40 per cent. As much as 25 per cent of this 40 per cent, that is 10 per cent of the total seats, were to be reserved for Dalit Christians.

These policy guidelines for admissions had been ratified by the Supreme Council then, when Bishop Karam Masih was its chairman.

“All decisions that Reverend Thampu was a party to have been rescinded, including the one on quota. However, the Supreme Council will meet shortly to look at all the important policy decisions, including this one,” college media adviser Sunil Mathew told reporters.

He also announced that a fresh advertisement for the post of Principal would be issued as the one issued this past Tuesday “did not have the approval of the Chairman (Bishop S. K. Singh).”

“The approved advertisement for the post of Principal has just been released by the Chairman. This advertisement supersedes all other advertisements for such post and will appear in the national dailies next week,” Mr. Mathew said, adding that the last date for submitting the application forms by the candidates had been extended from April 7 to May 2.

“Inconsistent”

After the first advertisement was released in February, the University had pointed out that the age group of 50-60 years mentioned in it was “inconsistent” with the age guideline prescribed by the University for the post of Principal, since the age of retirement was 65 years. The second advertisement had retained this criterion, on which the media adviser said: “We have mentioned that the preferable age limit will be between 50-60 years but if we get an outstanding candidate above 60, then the person will definitely be considered.”

“Though we want good and cooperative relations with the University, owing to our minority character, we should be given some elbow room in the appointment of our Principal. That has been guaranteed to us in our constitution,” he added.

Also, those members of the college community who were appointed by Mr. Thampu have resigned from their respective posts and their resignations have been accepted .

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