23 months pension still pending for Vice-Chancellor; Ciza Thomas, victim of government's ire

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: While the government is lavishly paying salaries, pensions and benefits to PSC members, special representatives in Delhi and government pleaders, a vice-chancellor has been wandering for 23 months to get pension. Prof. Ciza Thomas, VC of Digital University and former VC of Technical University, is going up and down the secretariat and courts. Even after the government failed a case in the Supreme Court which was aimed at preventing Ciza being given the benefits she deserve, the grudge of the government is not subsiding. Kerala Kaumudi had published an editorial titled 'Don't show feudalistic attitude towards Ciza Thomas,' criticising the government for pretending not to have seen the Administrative Tribunal's order to pay the money within two weeks.

During her 32 years of service, Ciza has worked as a teacher, principal, and senior joint director in the Department of Technology Education in engineering colleges.

The reason for the government's resentment is that Governor Arif Mohammad Khan appointed Ciza instead of the government-recommended Principal Secretary of Higher Education Ishita Roy as the VC of the Technical University. A charge memo was issued on the day of her retirement in March 2023, stating that she had taken charge without government permission. Pension and benefits were withheld. The High Court quashed the proceedings. The government approached the Supreme Court, but the petition was rejected.

Meanwhile, the government had tried in many ways to lock up Ciza. The High Court was approached to disqualify her from the post of VC, but the petition was rejected. Although she was transferred, the Administrative Tribunal appointed her in Thiruvananthapuram. There was also an attempt to file a false case alleging that she had stolen documents from the Technical University.

More than one crore is to be received; 2 days to comply with the order

The deadline for the State Administrative Tribunal order to pay temporary pension and pension benefits to Ciza within two weeks will expire on Tuesday. Although the order has been given to the Principal Secretary of Higher Education, Ishita Roy, at the Secretariat, it has not been implemented. More than one crore rupees is to be paid. The order was passed in August 2023, and the temporary pension was issued, but the amount was not paid.

"If the order is not complied with, we will have to go with contempt of court. Further action will be taken after consulting with the lawyer." -Prof. Ciza Thomas