Probe against Anna Univ VC for abuse of power, financial wrongs

Probe against Anna Univ VC for abuse of power, financial wrongs

Ex-HC Judge To File Report In 3 Months

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:14.11.2020

The state government on Friday ordered an inquiry by a retired judge of the Madras high court into allegations of financial irregularities and abuse of power by Anna University vice-chancellor M K Surappa, saying “prima facie the allegations are serious in nature.”

Justice P Kalaiyarasan has been asked to submit his report in three months.

“He need not be afraid. If he is honest, he shall come clean after the inquiry,” higher education minister K P Anbalagan told TOI when asked about the decision which was cleared by chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami.

“We have ordered the inquiry to bring out the truth since we have been receiving several petitions against the Vice-Chancellor,” the minister said.

The government order listed out petitions received in the past few months, alleging corruption of ₹200 crore in recruitment of temporary teaching staff, misuse of power in appointment of Surappa’s daughter, scam in purchase of machineries and one involving examination office, lack of approval from syndicate on the appointment of additional registrar, promotions using forged certificates, besides financial irregularities and malpractices in semester examination and revaluation. It was alleged that Surappa mailed wrong information to AICTE that the final year students were passed without holding examinations.

Surprised, ready to face probe: Surappa

Anna University vice-chancellor M K Surappa, who expressed surprise at a probe being initiated against him, said he was ready to face it. “I am surprised. A committee has been formed based on anonymous complaints without a shred of evidence and verifying them. I cannot even imagine such allegations against a person of my calibre and integrity,” Surappa said. As for the allegations regarding his daughter’s appointment in the university, the VC said: “My daughter is an intellectual property specialist at Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru. Intellectual property cell at Anna University wanted her services. She worked here on honorary capacity for six months without receiving a rupee as salary,” he said. He said his daughter was not appointed, but accepted a post on request.

All activities in Anna univ since Surappa took over to be probed

The probe has come after at least three standoffs between the government and the university in recent weeks over grant of Institute of Eminence (IoE) for Anna University; bifurcation of Anna University; and policy regarding grant of blanket pass for students with arrears.

The probe will cover the amount received by the university during Surappa’s tenure in the form of fees, assistance, donation, grants and the amount paid out by the varsity, and the allegations of financial misfeasance, fraud, misappropriation and any other allegations in that regard, the order said. The inquiry will study if the university’s activities conformed to the Anna University Act and the alleged scam in the Career Advancement Scheme.

Contracts and agreements entered into by the university during Surappa’s tenure, lapse or abuse of official position on the part of anyone connected with the university will also be probed. The inquiry officer, if he deems it fit, also will look into the allegations to any previous period. If such allegations are proved to be true, the inquiry officer then suggests suitable ways and means to prevent such recurrences in future, the order said.

Money received by the university during Surappa’s tenure in the form of fees, assistance, donation, grants and the amount paid out by the varsity, and the allegations of financial fraud will be investigated by the panel