THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Election Commission has blocked the budget presentation of Kerala University. The Senate was scheduled to meet on the 25th and present the complete budget. The presentation was stopped because the budget will have new announcements, schemes, promises and benefits. The action of the commission is based on the assessment that the budget announcement will have beneficiaries and will influence the voters.

Instead of the budget, the commission gave permission to present and pass a vote on account by including three months' income and expenditure figures. Once the election code of conduct is over, the full budget can be presented. The Commission blocked the presentation of the budget when Kerala University sought permission. The commission has allowed the Senate to meet on the 25th but there should be no agendas that influence the voters. It is a requirement that the meeting adjourn after passing the annual accounts and reports. Due to this, the agenda of the Senate including the amendment of the UGC rules was postponed. Amendments including the elimination of refresher courses for teacher appointment and promotion were excluded from the agenda. Acceptance of criteria prescribed by UGC for awarding research degrees was also on the agenda. Approval of amendments including the requirement to obtain a research degree three years before retirement and retirees should not be made guides were excluded from the agenda.

No permission for posthumous honors

Awarding a posthumous research degree to Management studies researcher S Laxmikutty has also been barred. Laxmikutty, who was a research scholar at Loyola College, died due to covid in 2021.

The evaluation of the research paper submitted by her was completed but she died before she could mount an open defence.

Elections are also not allowed

The commission did not approve the union elections of university departments. The election was scheduled for 21st. The varsity clarified that further steps will be announced later as the permission of the Chief Electoral Officer has not been received.