BENGALURU: Four lecturers of the Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) have been deputed as deputy registrars, allegedly in violation of directions issued by the Governor.
The appointments were made in an order dated October 8, in which lecturers H R Jayapal and Dr Shalva Pillai Iyengar were appointed as Deputy Registrar (General Administration) and Deputy Registrars (Examination). Similarly, two temporary lecturers Dr N Krishnappa and Manjunath have been appointed as Deputy Registrar (Examination) and Deputy Registrar (Study Centre) respectively.
The Governor, in an order issued in January this year, had directed the varsity not to take any policy decisions and issue orders of recruitment, until the fact-finding committee by Justice Bhaktavatsala, submitted its report. The order was temporarily relaxed for KSOU to organise its annual convocation.
The appointment of all four persons to KSOU has been in contention as Jayapal and Pillai were appointed in December 2012, in the fag-end of former KSOU V-C, K S Rangappa’s tenure. Appointments of Krishnappa and Manjunath were regularised in May 2013 in violation of norms. All the allegations are currently being probed by Justice Bhaktavatsala.Sources in KSOU alleged that the Governor was being kept in the dark about the appointments.
Not Discussed at Meeting
The source added that the issue was not even discussed during the Board of Management (BoM) meeting of the varsity, held recently. “These people have been appointed for non-teaching posts, even when their appointment was being probed,” the source added.
When contacted, KSOU Vice-Chancellor, M G Krishnan said that they were not being promoted, but were under deputation. To a question on the governor’s order, he said that it wouldn’t violate the order, as it was not a policy decision. On being asked if the appointments were brought to the notice of KSOU BoM, he answered in the negative.
Protest by Non-teaching staff
Mysuru: The non-teaching staff of the Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) staged a protest on the campus on Friday against the ‘illegal’ appointments of four deputy registrars. Despite the Governor’s order that no appointment or promotions should take place until an inquiry into irregularities in KSOU is completed, the university has nominated four faculty members to key positions, they said. “These nominations not only violate the Governor’s order but the appointment of these assistant professors itself, which took place in December 2012 during the fag end of previous Vice-Chancellor K S Rangappa, are also under question and is being inquired by the Justice Bhaktavatsalam Commission,” they said. They also condemned the varsity for not being serious in taking up renewal of recognition with the UGC.