Governor's action is violation of law, cause notice not issued before stay on posting: Kannur University Syndicate

KANNUR: The Kannur University Syndicate is against the Governor's actipn staying the appointment of Priya Varghese. The syndicate stated that the Governor's action is a violation of law. The cause notice was not given before issuing stay on posting. The syndicate also stated that the Governor's action was against the autonomy of the university.

The vice-chancellor of Kannur University has got legal advice that the governor’s order staying the proceedings of appointing Priya Varghese, wife of former MP K K Ragesh and chief minister’s private secretary, as associate professor in the Malayalam department, will not stand. The governor passed the order without issuing a show cause notice to the VC. The legal advice is that this is not legal. The Kannur University Syndicate has decided to approach the High Court against the Governor's action. They decided not to yield to the governor in an emergency syndicate meet convened. They will approach the high court on Friday against the stay order.

The Governor's action was on a complaint filed by the Save University Campaign Committee. The Governor noticed two irregularities. Eight years of teaching experience is required for appointment as per UGC rules. Priya Varghese, who has three years of service at Kerala Varma College, added two years of work as the director of student services at Kannur University and three years spent on research, and showed an eight-year figure. It is not acceptable as per UGC provision. The Governor got the official document that the first rank was given by adding marks for the interview without considering the research excellence and published papers of the other candidates. The interview was conducted by a committee chaired by Vice Chancellor Gopinath Raveendran. If appointed, she will get a salary of Rs 150,000. She is assistant director in Bhasha Institute on deputation.