Technical University: Governor to cancel 100 backdoor appointments

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The governor, who is also the chancellor of universities, has taken action to cancel the back door appointments given to the close relatives of the administrators and union leaders through the illegal appointments at the Technical University.

The move is to cancel the appointment notification using the chancellor's power to cancel and suspend the irregular orders and proceedings of the University. The Governor has sought legal advice in this regard.

The 'back door recruitment fair' was brought out by 'Kerala Kaumudi'. Later, Vice-Chancellor Professor Sisa Thomas submitted a report to the Governor confirming the irregular appointments in the university. The VC has informed the Governor that the appointment notification was issued without his knowledge or consent. Outgoing Vice-Chancellor Dr MS Rajashree had not given permission to issue notification for contract appointments. Without the knowledge of Professor Sisa Thomas, who took over as VC on November 4, the registrar issued the appointment notification on the November 8. The VC has informed the Governor that this illegal notification should be quashed and the extension of tenure of the existing contractual employees will be after a detailed examination and personal review.

Since the Vice-Chancellor himself has admitted that there is an irregularity, the Governor can now take action without seeking an explanation from the University. 100 people including 54 administrative staff, 19 e-governance support staff, 9 office attendants, 4 drivers and 8 sweepers were appointed on December 1. The steps to appoint the next 100 people have also started.

57 permanent employees

The technical university has only 57 permanent employees. Though the university had asked for allotment of 100 assistant posts, the government sanctioned only 25.

In the Calicut University case, the High Court had ordered that the current university assistant be appointed from the PSC list on a temporary basis.

According to this, the Technical University may also issue recruitment notification with the approval of the VC and contract recruitment on the basis of written test, interview and technical skill test.