THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Favoritism coupled with fraudulent means have stalled the appointment of principals in 66 government arts and science colleges across the state. The subverting of the PSC-approved list to a draft list is also a glaring example of demeaning tactics used by the authorities.

Out of 110 applicants, 43 UGC-qualified candidates were selected by the College Education Department in March 2022. The same list was approved by PSC but the appointments were stalled since the government sympathizing teachers union expressed fury for getting omitted from the list. Minding the concerns of the union, the higher education department curry favored the union members by stalling merit-based appointments.

Minister R Bindu wrote a letter to change the PSC-approved list to a draft list. Later an appeal committee was formed to deftly include the names of candidates who were earlier dropped for not publishing research papers in UGC-approved journals. The new circular asked the committee to compromise norms and asked to consider research papers published even in college journals. The deputation period of such faculties was asked to be considered as teaching experience. All such changes were made albeit knowing that the state had no power to change the UGC regulations.

Enraged faculties who earlier made it to the list through merit approached the administrative tribunal and were briefed about the breach conducted by the appeal committee. The tribunal studying the matter, issued appointment orders for all the deserving faculties. With no signs of falling back, the governed filed a review petition on the appointment. The administrative tribunal later canceled the appointments of 12 principals who lacked UGC qualifications.

Earlier, seniority was the only criterion for appointment. UGC's current proposal is to view the principal post as a special one and recruit only after conducting interviews and scrutinizing the qualification. 15 years of service, a research degree, and a minimum of 10 articles in recognized journals are the new UGC proposed regulations for appointment. However, the government never cared to bring a special rule and delayed the eligible appointment for years.