Mysuru: The Higher Education Department has directed the University of Mysore (UoM) to terminate the appointment of 124 non-teaching staff in the University done in December 2016 during the tenure of the former Vice-Chancellor Prof. K.S. Rangappa and Prof. R. Rajanna the Registrar (who recently took charge as Registrar for the second term).

The Department has acted on the instructions from the office of Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala. The Department has also issued orders to file criminal cases against those involved in the irregularities in the recruitment.

Violation of rules and regulations

According to a letter dispatched from the office of Rajkumar Khatri, Principal Secretary, Higher Education Department, dated June 20 to the office of UoM Vice-Chancellor (a copy of which is available with Star of Mysore), it has been stated that following a probe report, those appointed in December 2016 in violation of rules and regulations and roster system should be terminated immediately. The letter has been signed by N. Veerabramhachari, Under Secretary, Department of Higher Education (Universities).

The letter states that those officials and staff responsible for recruitments and for misuse of administrative powers in the recruitment process should be identified and booked under various sections of Prevention of Corruption Act and other related laws to file a criminal case, within a period of one month. University authorities have also been asked to submit an action-taken report on the issue within 45 days.

Probe Committee

The Department’s direction to the University follows a letter written by the Governor’s office to Rajkumar Khatri on June 18, referring to an inquiry report into the matter submitted by Dr. Marutirao Ramachandra Rao Nimbalkar, the Chairperson of Inquiry Committee and Dr. Kanubhai Govindji Mavani, Committee Member.

The Committee conducted the probe for two months and had summoned Prof. Rangappa, R. Rajanna, the then Deputy Registrar (General) M.V. Vishakanta, the then acting VC Prof. P. Dayananda Mane and Finance Officer B. Mahadevappa.

What came before Committee?

While Rangappa did not appear before the Committee citing various grounds, Rajanna, though appeared before the Committee refused to answer a copy of points served to him. Instead, he sought to avail assistance of an advocate but that was turned down by the Committee. However, he submitted a three-page letter regarding the same allegations.

Vishakanta had recorded that the applications of candidates were marked by the then VC and sent to the-case worker concerned directly to put up the application for appointment. The VC has powers to make such temporary appointments for a period of one year, he told the Committee.

Vishakanta told the panel members that a majority of the candidates were recommended by the Chief Minister, MLAs, former MPs and Ministers. These recommendations were directly received by the VC to appoint candidates on temporary basis based on their qualification and experience.

Prof. Dayananda Mane stated that the appointments, done by Prof. Rangappa and Rajanna, were not advertised or notified as per the section 56(1) of Karnataka State Universities Act 2000.

He was of the opinion that the appointments needed the sanction of the government and had to be placed before the Syndicate for ratification. Both the processes were not followed.

Committee findings

The inquiry Committee found out that the non-teaching staff have been appointed in gross violation of the provisions of the Universities Act, rules and regulations. It is also noticed that such appointments have been made in violation of the reservation policy and such employees have been paid out of the University funds.

Regarding the appointment of Registrars, the Committee has recommended either Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer or senior-grade Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) officer must be appointed as Registrars in the future and not appoint the Registrar from the teaching cadre.

No illegal appointments in my tenure: Prof. Rangappa

Reacting on the communication by the Higher Education Department and the findings of the inquiry Committee, former Vice-Chancellor of University of Mysore Prof. K.S. Rangappa, who is now a JD(S) leader, told Star of Mysore that he did not make any illegal  appointments.

“In my tenure there was no question of misuse of powers and I wish to clarify that illegal appointments were not made. As per Section 56 of Karnataka State Universities Act 2000, the Vice-Chancellor has powers to appoint teaching and non-teaching staff for a period of one year,” he said.

“As per the powers vested with me as the VC, I had made certain appointments for one year. Accordingly, the appointees were relieved after 11 months. But their appointments were renewed again and I am not responsible for that. No illegal appointments were done in my tenure,” he said.

Present Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. T.K. Umesh said that his office was yet to receive a copy of the letter issued by the Department. “We will abide by the instructions, in accordance with law,” he said.