Enquiry into appointment of Vice-Chancellors

Updated on: Tuesday, August 23, 2011

After obtaining permission from the Chief Minister, action will be initiated against former Minister K. Ponmudy, his team of officials and Vice-Chancellors (V-Cs) on charges of corruption in appointment of V-Cs, admission of students under government's discretionary quota in Anna University and irregularities in the conduct of examinations in the past five years, said P. Palaniappan, Higher Education Minister.

Moving the demands for grants for his department, Mr.Palaniappan said the higher education sector in the State had gone to ruins at the hands of Mr. Ponmudy.

Five Anna Universities of Technology were created hastily so that the appointment of Vice-Chancellors, Registrars and other office bearers “would fill pockets.”

The corruption was so rampant prompting eminent academician M. Anandakrishnan to publicly deplore that the post of Vice-Chancellor was being bargained for a price between Rs 10 crore to Rs 20 crore.

AUT Coimbatore former Vice-Chancellor Radhakrishnan had stated in an interview that he paid for the Vice-Chancellor's post, the Minister said, quoting media reports.

Besides, there were irregularities in admission to the prestigious Anna University, where two per cent was earmarked under government's discretionary quota.

In the past three years, 500 students were admitted under the quota.

In a college run by former (Food) Minister E.V. Velu, his relative was allowed to proceed to third year without even attending classes, the Minister said, adding he had evidence to substantiate his allegations.

The policy note on higher education tabled in the House has a detailed 12-point programme, including streamlining the appointment of Vice-Chancellors to revitalise the sector.

Enquiry into appointment of Vice-Chancellors

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