IoE tag won’t change reservation policy, says Anna University V-C

IoE tag won’t change reservation policy, says Anna University V-C

PMK Slams Surappa For Approaching Central Govt

Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:12.10.2020

There is “nothing to fear” and the existing reservation and recruitment policy will not change in the least if Anna University gets the status of Institute of Eminence (IoE), says vice-chancellor M K Surappa.

Admissions and recruitment followed state government rules. “The [Union HRD] ministry has repeatedly clarified that the university can continue to follow the existing 69% reservation in all its admission and recruitment processes as per the existing act of the university,” the vicechancellor told TOI. IoE guidelines 2017 say state universities would continue to function under their respective state Acts. On fears of the Centre taking over the state institution, Surappa said such an event had not happened in the last 20 years, unless there was pressure from the state.

The vice-chancellor has, however, come under fire from the PMK for directly writing to the Centre, “without the knowledge of the state government”, seeking IoE status amid concerns over the reservation policy. Surappa had told the Centre that the university could generate revenue of Rs 1,570 crore through internal resources and did not need funding from the state government.

In a statement, PMK leader S Ramadoss alleged Surappa’s unilateral act betrayed the interests of the university and the students. “The Centre refuses to heed the request of the state to give a written assurance for 69% reservation, though it accepts this in principle. There is no point in the university getting the IoE tag without finding a solution to the reservation issue,” Ramadoss said. If the Centre’s reservation and admission policies are adhered to, the students of Tamil Nadu and the BC students would not benefit, but only students of other states and upper castes would, he said. Generating revenue from internal resources would result in steep hike in fee.

The PMK leader said the developments had raised suspicions about the vice-chancellor acting as a puppet of those who wanted reservation to be revoked. “The V-C is appointed for three years to steer the varsity. He cannot take a policy decision of the government. The act of Surappa should be investigated,” Ramadoss said, urging the state government to make efforts to get IoE status without affecting the admission process and ensuring its control of the university.