Lobbying and bargaining slow down Madras University VC selection, teachers association say

  • | Wednesday | 22nd February, 2017

This is because hectic lobbying and bargaining is underway to determine the highest bidder for the post, said N Pasupathy, general secretary of Association of University Teachers (AUT), which represents professors across the state. This is because the bargaining is to the tune of Rs 10 crore," Pasupathy said.A senior official in UNOM, on condition of anonymity, said the price had jumped up from Rs 4 crore - Rs 6 crore to Rs 8 crore- Rs 12 crore which presented a higher earning potential. "This is because at UNOM, there are more than 100 vacancies in the teaching staff cadre. CHENNAI: It has been more than a year since a three-member panel was constituted to shortlist candidates for the posts of vice-chancellors at the University of Madras (UNOM) and Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU), but appointments are yet to be made. "Currently, many universities don't have full-time registrars and controller of examinations.

CHENNAI: It has been more than a year since a three-member panel was constituted to shortlist candidates for the posts of vice-chancellors at the University of Madras (UNOM) and Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU), but appointments are yet to be made. This is because hectic lobbying and bargaining is underway to determine the highest bidder for the post, said N Pasupathy, general secretary of Association of University Teachers (AUT), which represents professors across the state."MKU has not had a VC since 2015. Academic and administrative work has slowed down considerably in these universities. Yet the authorities aren't bothered. This is because the bargaining is to the tune of Rs 10 crore," Pasupathy said.A senior official in UNOM, on condition of anonymity, said the price had jumped up from Rs 4 crore - Rs 6 crore to Rs 8 crore- Rs 12 crore which presented a higher earning potential."This is because at UNOM, there are more than 100 vacancies in the teaching staff cadre. That is an easy net of at least Rs 4 crore," the official said.As money-factor played a big role, selection committees were forced to compromise on quality while making these appointments, the official said, pointing out that it was a vicious cycle.Last week, founder of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) S Ramadoss issued a statement alleging that there was corruption of Rs 300 crore in the three-year reign of R Thandavan, who left office in January 2016. As suggested by the UNOM official, Ramadoss also raked the issue of corruption in appointments, stating that the price for an assistant professor post was Rs 30 lakh and that of professor post was Rs 55 lakh.Many allegations of corruption have been raised in the past three years but none have been proven as government has not conducted any serious enquiry into them, Pasupathy said.Pasupathy stated that they had submitted representations to the Governor-Chancellor regarding high miscellaneous expenses made by university officials like VCs and demanded a thorough inquiry."Currently, many universities don't have full-time registrars and controller of examinations. The in-charge officials are arm-twisted to divert funds," Pasupathy said.

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