The Periyar University Teachers Association has sought action against the Vice-Chancellor.
| Photo Credit: file photo
The Association of University Teachers (AUT), Tamil Nadu has demanded that the Governor, who is the Chancellor of Periyar University, take action on the findings of the report submitted by the committee headed by S. Palanisamy on the irregularities in the University.
On January 9, 2023, the State government constituted an inquiry committee, headed by S. Palanisamy, then Additional Secretary, Department of Higher Education, on the alleged irregularities and illegal appointments in violation of reservation policy at the Periyar University. The committee conducted inquiry at the university on January 30, March 6, April 27, and May 29, 2023.
The committee submitted its report on February 5, 2024, confirming the allegations against the then Registrar (in charge) K. Thangavel and the illegality of the appointments of the university librarian and physical education director in violation of the reservation policy.
Based on the report, the Higher Education secretary in letters dated February 7 and 27, 2024, asked the Vice-Chancellor of the University to place Thangavel under suspension and not to allow him to retire. But these instructions were not followed and Thangavel was permitted to retire on February 28, 2024.
Association president M.S. Balamurugan said that the State government informed the Madras High Court on January 6, 2025, that there was large-scale malpractice in the appointments for the posts of teaching/non-teaching staff. The government also clarified that a copy of the inquiry report was forwarded by the inquiry committee to the Governor and was awaiting orders. But nothing concrete has come out, so far.
“The AUT is at a loss to comprehend as to why there had been stoic silence by the office of the Chancellor on the findings of the duly constituted inquiry committee’s report, submitted by the government. While administrative excess lay on one side without any corrective measures, victimisation and vindictiveness have reflected on the other in the compulsive termination of service of K. Premkumar, the former general secretary of Periyar University Teachers Association (PUTA), an assistant professor in history,” Mr. Balamurugan added.
Explaining the Periyar University administration’s continuous action to dismiss Mr. Premkumar, the AUT president said that he (Mr. Premkumar) was suspended within 24 hours after the notice issued by the administration. The University placed an agenda to dismiss him from service in the 113th Syndicate and 114th Syndicate meetings but could not get the majority for this decision.
Later, the University chose the unprecedented path of referring the issue to the Governor, but got a reply ‘to abide by the statutes.’ In the 116th Syndicate meeting, the university administration finally achieved its goal of terminating the services of Mr. Premkumar.
The AUT demanded that the Governor/Chancellor initiates suitable action on the findings of the inquiry report submitted by the government, and immediately end the unwarranted extension of service of Vice-Chancellor R. Jagannathan and to rescind the illegal termination of Mr. Premkumar by reinstating him in service forthwith, Mr. Balamurugan added.
Published – February 06, 2025 08:22 pm IST