BENGALURU: Bangalore University has asked Prof N S Ashok Kumar, who was working there earlier, to complete the process of handing over charge and get a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the it before he takes charge as special officer at Gangubai Hanagal Music University, Mysuru.
After Bangalore University received a letter from the Higher Education Department seeking its opinion on the appointment of Ashok Kumar (professor in the Electronic Media Department) as special officer of the music university, Vice-chancellor Dr B Thimme Gowda said, “There are some problems with the electronic media department which Ashok Kumar headed. There are complaints from the present HoD that Ashok Kumar has not handed over charge properly before going on deputation to Rajiv Gandhi University Health Sciences (RGUHS) as registrar.”
“We have no issues with sending him, but before he leaves, we want him to complete the procedure as per the norms,” he said.
“ There are some audit objections over equipment purchased for the department, for which the present HoD is unable to answer as charge has not been handed over to him properly. We are writing about this to the Higher Education Department,” added Gowda.
After the alleged scam in tampering of MBBS marks cards broke out, in which Ashok Kumar is also one of the accused, the then governor H R Bhardwaj kept him under suspension which was revoked a few days ago. After that, he reported at Bangalore University last week.
Music University Says No
However, Music University authorities don’t seem to be keen to welcome Ashok Kumar.
In an official communication to the Higher Education Department, the music university authorities said there was no need to appoint a special officer.
Deputy Secretary to the Higher Education Department, Kuriyavar, told Express, “We have asked for reports from both Bangalore University and the music university regarding appointing Ashok Kumar as special officer based on the note sent by Chief Minister. But, we have received a report from the Music University saying there is no need to appoint any special officer.”
He said, “We are communicating the same to the Chief Minister through our principal secretary.”
Meanwhile, there is an opinion within the department that the decision taken to appoint a special officer for an existing university is against norms.
“We cannot appoint a special officer for an existing university as there are vice-chancellors and registrars to manage. Special officers can only be appointed in case of new universities,” said a senior official of Higher Education Department.