State govt asks Surappa to explain proposal to Centre

State govt asks Surappa to explain proposal to Centre

‘How Will Anna Varsity Make Money For IoE Tag?’

Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

Chennai: 15,10.2020

The Tamil Nadu government has sought an explanation from Anna University vice-chancellor M K Surappa on his proposal to the Centre that the university would be able to meet easily the requirement of ₹314 crore a year (₹ 1,570 crore for five years) to get Institute of Eminence (IoE) status.

The VC triggered a controversy by writing directly to the Centre when the state government had concerns that the IoE tag would affect the reservation policy. Sources in the state government said it has still not received a ‘proper response’ from the Centre on its request to continue existing 69% reservation. “The government pointed to the revised proposal written by the vice-chancellor to the Union HRD ministry on June 2, in connection with the IoE. It has asked him to specify the resources under which the amount could be generated and report to the government at the earliest,” said a source.

The letter seeking an explanation was sent on Tuesday after the Union government wrote to the state government in early October again seeking an assurance that it would make good any revenue shortfall from the internal resources of the university. The Centre’s correspondence follows an expert empowered committee considering the proposal sent by the vicechancellor and suggesting that the state government be requested to give an assurance.

On June 2, Surappa had told the Centre that chief secretary K Shanmugam had accepted IoE status for the university but indicated inability to commit the expected contribution of ₹1,000 crore. The TN chief secretary had told the ministry that the state would implement the project if the Centre provided the entire amount. “But the vice-chancellor conveyed to the Union ministry that the requirement could be easily met by the internal resources, including its reserves, examination fee, tuition fee, affiliation fee. He had said that the university generates revenue of Rs580 crore every year, and it will not be indenting for additional funds from the government, other than its annual block grants and additional grants,” another source said.