MYSORE: In an attempt to clear uncertainty over more than 140 appointments, including 109 teaching staff, the University of Mysore (UoM) has resolved to declare their probationary period.
As the first step, the University has asked the heads of all the departments and postgraduate centres to send ‘confidential reports’ (CRs) on candidates. It has also asked to submit the CR of more than 30 non-teaching staff whose probationary period has not yet been declared.
According to a circular issued by Registrar C Basavaraju (Administration) dated July 17, following a decision taken at the July 14 syndicate meeting, heads of all the departments have been asked to send the CR of all teaching staff.
This includes 109 direct appointments which have been termed ‘illegal’ by Justice Rangavittalachar Commission. The commission was appointed by the government to look into the irregularities in the appointments during the tenure of Shashidhar Prasad as the vice-chancellor of the university.
It has sought CRs in forms ‘A’ and C’ for teaching staff. The CRs on non-teaching staff should be in forms ‘B’ and C’. When contacted, Registrar Basavaraju said he was not aware of the syndicate decision as he came out of the syndicate meeting before it took up the issue of probationary period of the direct appointments made in 2006-07, as he was also one of the appointees.
“It was not right to sit in the syndicate since my appointment was also involved in it. Hence I am not aware of the syndicate decision, but I issued a circular following the direction of Vice-chancellor K S Rangappa,” Basavaraju said. Sources said it is inevitable for the University of Mysore to take a decision on declaration of probationary period of Registrar Basavaraju, who approached the High Court for the same. While disposing the matter, the High Court asked the University to consider the grievances of Basavaraju within three months.
The time given by the HC had expired on June 23 and hence Basavaraju reminded Vice-chancellor Rangappa about it. But the V-C referred it to the government.
The syndicate meeting held on July 14 resolved to declare probationary period after taking legal opinion, keeping option open for the final verdict. The HC has stayed the annulment of appointments by the state government following petitions by the aggrieved parties.
Confirming this, V-C K S Rangappa said that the university will go through the track records of the appointees before declaring their probationary periods.