No salary, no pension, no money to conduct exams and send certificates: Technological University stuck in political games

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Technological University is stuck in a political game of not passing the budget, even though it does not have the money to conduct exams and issue certificates to about 1.5 lakh students.

The university, which has affiliated engineering and management colleges in Kerala, has no money even for daily expenses. The Statutory Finance Committee was called yesterday to pass the budget after 2 months of pension and last month's salary were not paid, but the quorum was not met. With this, the financial and administrative situation has moved towards a standstill. The left-wing members are demanding the resignation of the interim VC, Dr. K. Sivaprasad, appointed by the Governor.

The quorum would have been complete if five members of the 14-member Statutory Finance Committee, including senior officials from the Finance and Higher Education Departments, had been present. Only Vice-Chancellor Dr. K. Sivaprasad, Registrar G. Gopan, Finance Officer Ajikuryan and non-teaching representative on the Board of Governance Asim Rasheed Khan attended the meeting. Dean (Research) Dr. Sheeja, who was present till noon, left just before the meeting. Dean (Academic) Dr. Vinu Thomas took leave. Despite the online system being set up, government representatives did not attend. Earlier, the VC called the Syndicate three times and the Board of Governance once, but the quorum was not complete.

A private company that provides software services, including for the exam, has to be paid Rs 86 lakh per month. With 2 months of outstanding amount, the exam administration is also in crisis. There is no money to pay the postal department, which prints and distributes graduation certificates. The license fee for Amazon Cloud, which provides the server for the e-governance project, has also been delayed. 3 internet service providers, including K-Phone, should be paid as well. If this is delayed, the announcement of exam results and evaluation will be in jeopardy.

No fuel, vehicles stand still

1. As there is no money to fuel, all vehicles are standing still. The Vice Chancellor is leaving the official vehicle and coming in his own car.
2. The degree certificates are being delivered to the post office in the private vehicles of the examination department employees
3. The salaries of 93 employees and more than 200 temporary employees have been suspended.
4. There are 142 engineering colleges in the university

'The governor will be informed that the budget is not passed. Since there is no money in hand, all expenses will be suspended."

-Dr. K. Sivaprasad,

Vice Chancellor