Anna University Syndicate suggests overruling Governor’s order

Anna University Union on Saturday recommended that the Governor’s decision canceling the dismissal of former Vice-Chancellor R. Velraj be rejected on the grounds that the Union has no power to change its decision.

Prof. Velraj was suspended on the day of his retirement on July 31 for his alleged involvement in granting affiliation to private engineering colleges linked to fake faculty scam. The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) is investigating the incident.

“The Governor’s order is invalid,” said I. Paranthamen, Egmore MLA and Union member. “We are not implementing the Governor’s order because he has no authority. We discussed this at length at today’s meeting.”

The union also proposed that 11 officials of the University, including the Registrar, be removed from their current positions to facilitate a DVAC investigation into fake faculty fraud.

At the last Union meeting on July 31, DVAC was given approval to continue investigations into alleged irregularities related to fake faculty fraud.

“In order to ensure a fair and transparent investigation, the Union has recommended the removal of officials holding key positions,” Mr Paranthamen added.

Officials include the Registrar, the Controller of Examinations and the Director of the Institutional Commitment Centre. The Chairman of the Vice-Chancellor Meeting Committee was tasked with appointing a Responsible Registrar to oversee administrative matters.

Inquiry panel

In addition, a three-member investigation committee headed by the Commissioner of Technical Education, which investigated the ghost faculty scam, submitted its findings to the Union in a sealed cover.

The committee found irregularities at nearly 200 universities where ghost faculty members were reportedly used to inflate staff positions.

Mr. Paranthamen said the committee recommended action against the institutions by imposing penalties, postponing classes, penalizing the principals concerned or a combination of these.

The union recommended that the Registrar issue a show-cause notice to all these institutions.