Purohit: Crores changed hands in VC appointments
Min: Was Entirely Governors’ Remit, Govt Had No Role
Sivakumar.B@timesgroup.com
Chennai:07.10.2018
Several crores of rupees often changed hands in the appointment of vicechancellors in the past in the state, governor Banwarilal Purohit said on Saturday.
At a conference in the city on enhancing quality of education, the governor, who is also chancellor of all state universities, said that since assuming charge he had put an end to corruption and ensured that vice-chancellors were appointed only on the basis of merit.
Later, reacting to Purohit’s charge, higher education minister K P Anbazhagan said the government had no say in the selection and that the appointments were entirely in the hands of governors.
Corruption in the appointment of vice-chancellors has been an open secret, but this is the first time a governor has openly spoken about it.
“After taking charge I came to know how vice-chancellors were appointed. I was not able to believe that first, but discovered it and decided to change it. I was astonished that crores (of rupees) were given to get the appointments,” the governor said.
“Nine vice-chancellors were appointed after I assumed office, and all of them were selected purely on the basis of merit,” the governor said, adding that no one could raise charges of corruption in those appointments.
Action will be taken if those who bribed are named: Min
The governor said, “Efforts are on to change the corrupt system, but it would take some more time to see the results.”
Hours after the governor’s speech, Anbazhagan told reporters in Dharmapuri that he had no idea what the governor was talking about.
“I can clearly say that the higher education department is involved in nominating a member to the search committee. Only former vicechancellors or people with experience are nominated. Beyond that, we have no role in selection of VCs. The entire responsibility of choosing a vice-chancellor rests with the governor,” said Anbazhagan.
Fisheries minister D Jayakumar said that if the names of people who became vicechancellor by bribing people were made public, the government would take action against them.
“If what the governor is saying is true, we will definitely take action,” said Jayakumar.
On his part, DMK president M K Stalin said that the governor, instead of talking about corruption in public, must resort to action like removing chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam and other ministers who are accused of corruption. “The accusation of the governor comes a day after he had a meeting with the chief minister,” he said.
CPI state secretary R Mutharasan agreed, saying the governor should reveal who received money in selecting vice-chancellors. “This government is sinking in corruption,” said. PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss demanded a detailed probe into corruption in the selection of VCs.
DMK president M K Stalin said the governor, instead of talking about corruption, must resort to action like removing chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami
Min: Was Entirely Governors’ Remit, Govt Had No Role
Sivakumar.B@timesgroup.com
Chennai:07.10.2018
Several crores of rupees often changed hands in the appointment of vicechancellors in the past in the state, governor Banwarilal Purohit said on Saturday.
At a conference in the city on enhancing quality of education, the governor, who is also chancellor of all state universities, said that since assuming charge he had put an end to corruption and ensured that vice-chancellors were appointed only on the basis of merit.
Later, reacting to Purohit’s charge, higher education minister K P Anbazhagan said the government had no say in the selection and that the appointments were entirely in the hands of governors.
Corruption in the appointment of vice-chancellors has been an open secret, but this is the first time a governor has openly spoken about it.
“After taking charge I came to know how vice-chancellors were appointed. I was not able to believe that first, but discovered it and decided to change it. I was astonished that crores (of rupees) were given to get the appointments,” the governor said.
“Nine vice-chancellors were appointed after I assumed office, and all of them were selected purely on the basis of merit,” the governor said, adding that no one could raise charges of corruption in those appointments.
Action will be taken if those who bribed are named: Min
The governor said, “Efforts are on to change the corrupt system, but it would take some more time to see the results.”
Hours after the governor’s speech, Anbazhagan told reporters in Dharmapuri that he had no idea what the governor was talking about.
“I can clearly say that the higher education department is involved in nominating a member to the search committee. Only former vicechancellors or people with experience are nominated. Beyond that, we have no role in selection of VCs. The entire responsibility of choosing a vice-chancellor rests with the governor,” said Anbazhagan.
Fisheries minister D Jayakumar said that if the names of people who became vicechancellor by bribing people were made public, the government would take action against them.
“If what the governor is saying is true, we will definitely take action,” said Jayakumar.
On his part, DMK president M K Stalin said that the governor, instead of talking about corruption in public, must resort to action like removing chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam and other ministers who are accused of corruption. “The accusation of the governor comes a day after he had a meeting with the chief minister,” he said.
CPI state secretary R Mutharasan agreed, saying the governor should reveal who received money in selecting vice-chancellors. “This government is sinking in corruption,” said. PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss demanded a detailed probe into corruption in the selection of VCs.
DMK president M K Stalin said the governor, instead of talking about corruption, must resort to action like removing chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami
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