Mysuru: The issue of appointment of non-teaching staff in the University of Mysore (UoM) allegedly in violation of rules during December 2016 is back in news with the University Researchers Association demanding immediate action against those who were involved in the appointments. The Association has warned of indefinite dharna after July 10 if no action is taken.

It may be recalled here that the State Higher Education Department had directed the University 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 R. Vala. The Department has also issued orders to file criminal cases against those involved in the irregularities in the recruitment.

In a press release, D. Mahadevaswamy, President of Researchers Association, has stated that the appointments were made illegally and none of the processes and rules was followed. Before making the appointments, the University should have taken permission from State Finance Department and the Department of Higher Education.

“As per rules, advertisements had to be issued in newspapers about the appointments and the binding reservation policy had to be implemented. Unfortunately, Prof. Rangappa and Prof. Rajanna and the Deputy Registrar (General) M.V. Vishakanta have blatantly violated the Karnataka State Universities Act 2000,” Mahadevaswamy alleged.

In their report, Dr. Marutirao Ramachandra Rao Nimbalkar, the Chairperson of Inquiry Committee and Dr. Kanubhai Govindji Mavani, Committee Member, have clearly pointed out violations and have recommended criminal action. Now Prof. K.S. Rangappa and Prof. R. Rajanna are claiming that there were no irregularities. Then why should the Inquiry Committee mention that action should be taken against them,” Mahadevaswamy questioned.

Despite the Higher Education Department recommending action, Prof. Rajanna has been appointed as the Registrar.

“This will send a wrong message. Also, the present Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. T.K. Umesh has not bothered to act on the directives of Higher Education Department and take criminal action against those involved in the illegal appointments. The association is giving a deadline of July 10. If no action is taken by then, the Association will stage an indefinite dharna near the Ambedkar  Statue at Manasagangothri,” he said.

Appoint Prof. Rajanna as VC: Vedike

Rajya Nayakara Hitharakshana Vedike has urged the State government to appoint Registrar Prof. R. Rajanna as the VC of University of Mysore. The Vedike pointed out that none of the 18 government universities had a VC from the Nayaka community, and dubbed it a grave injustice.

The Vedike said that when BJP was in power, it had appointed Dr. Bisilaiah of the Nayaka community as the VC of the Karnataka State Gangubai Hangal Music and Performing Arts University. The Vedike members said that UoM had never had a VC from the Nayaka community, and the government must set this right by naming Prof. Rajanna.