Govt puts brakes on UoM V-C’s recruitment drive, warns of filing FIR
BENGALURU: The Department of Higher Education has put on hold the recruitment process started by University of Mysore (UoM) to fill various positions, starting from assistant professors to principals. The order issued by the office of the Principal Secretary to the Higher Education Department clearly directs the vice-chancellor not to proceed with the recruitment process.
The order, issued on November 18, states, “We have received complaints about filling some teaching posts despite there being a clear directive from the government not to proceed until the backlog issue is clarified by the Social Welfare Department. Taking serious note of it, we are directing and reminding you that all recruitment process started by you have been stopped.”
Interestingly, despite repeated notices from the Higher Education Department directing the university not to proceed with the recruitments, it has scheduled interviews to fill the posts of principals in four of its constituent colleges.
The aspirants for posts at Yuvaraja’s College, Maharaja’s College, College of Fine Arts and Maharaja’s Evening College have received letters from UoM asking them to appear for interview at the Manasa Gangotri campus in Mysuru on November 23.
“What is the need or urgency to fill the posts despite government directions to stop the entire process? Even assistant professors have been recruited on contract basis though the government clearly said the appointments have been withdrawn. But the authorities here are misleading candidates and asking them to sign the attendance register regularly,” said a senior Syndicate member.
“When we asked about this in the Syndicate meeting, the V-C defended the act saying he got clearance from the chancellor/governor. But the order issued by the Higher Education Department stated that the university has violated government guidelines at every step,” said a Syndicate member.
It may be recalled that there was a directive from the governor to all V-Cs not to take any important decisions six months before their term ends. UoM V-C K S Rangappa’s term ends in January. His own colleagues ask how he can make appointments two months before his retirement.
“The university will get a new V-C within 15-20 days and the new V-C can take up recruitment. Our question is why Rangappa is so keen on the appointments, that too by violating government orders,” says G Madhusudhan, former member of the Board of Management of UoM.
The Social Welfare Department has also told Prof Rangappa to stop all recruitment process and warned of filing an FIR against him. Manivannan P, Secretary to the Department of Social Welfare, has sent an official note to the Commissioner stating the same. “In case the V-C continues to go ahead with the recruitment, then you are here by directed to immediately inform police of the offence in violation of the SC/ST Atrocities Act,” the note says.