TN Govt unlikely to extend financial assistance to UoM

TN Govt unlikely to extend financial assistance to UoM

The university’s ailing financial state of affairs was dealt a severe blow recently when the I-T officials froze its bank accounts for not paying the pending dues.

The University of Madras File Photo | Express

Binita Jaiswal, Subashini Vijayakumar

Updated on:

28 Feb 2024, 7:42 am

CHENNAI: After attending an emergency meeting convened by the state government to discuss the financial crisis plaguing the University of Madras, varsity sources maintained that the government was not inclined to offer direct financial help. They also said legal opinion will be sought about giving an undertaking to the Income Tax (I-T) Department in an attempt to make the department defreeze the university’s bank accounts.

According to members of the joint action committee of teaching and non-teaching staff associations of the university, the state government refused to provide any immediate financial help and instead suggested the university to appeal against I-T department’s demand to pay Rs 424 crore, dues for the assessment years 2017-2018 to 2020-2021.

The university’s ailing financial state of affairs was dealt a severe blow recently when the I-T officials froze its bank accounts for not paying the pending dues. The department had demanded such a hefty amount, by arguing that the university cannot be considered a government university as the state government’s contribution of funds was less than 50% since 2016-17. The officials have already deducted Rs 12.5 crore from the university’s frozen accounts.

Following deliberations at the Tuesday meeting, university sources said they would seek legal opinion on providing an undertaking to the I-T department, stating that 20% of the demanded amount could be paid in instalments. “The I-T officials had asked the university to give an undertaking that 20% of the demanded tax amount would be paid in instalments in the subsequent months, to get the accounts defreezed.

Subsequently, the university will also be able to file an appeal against the payment demand. While the joint action committee requested the government to take care of the salaries, which are due in the next two to three days, we hear that the state government has now refused to help financially,” said a member of the committee.

According to the committee, if the state government refuses to provide any fund, the university would then be forced to break its corpus (once it is defreezed), which has more than Rs 300 crore, the interest from which pensions are being paid. Even if they begin tapping the corpus fund, it is a slippery slope as the university would be able to cope up only for a limited period with the amount.

The university will definitely need financial support from state government in the long run. While the existing audit objections in the university only amount to about Rs 6 to Rs 7 crore, the state government has been slashing more than 75% of the funds it ought to have provided in the past few years, sources alleged.

Officials in the higher education department said how to disburse this month’s salary was the major point discussed in Tuesday’s meeting. “The department may take a decision regarding the financial situation of the university in the next two to three days,” they said.

Meanwhile, academicians have urged the state government to immediately intervene in the matter. “It is high time that the higher education minister announce grants for the historic institution,” said Prince Gajendra Babu, general secretary of State Platform for Common School System, who has started an online campaign to ‘save the University of Madras’.

KLE Society nursing students from Hubballi bag eight gold medals at RGUHS convocation

February 27, 2024 07:05 pm | Updated 07:06 pm IST - HUBBALLI

Four students of KLE Society’s Institute of Nursing Sciences, Hubballi, have bagged six ranks, including three first ranks, and eight gold medals in the 26 th Annual Convocation of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) in Bengaluru on Tuesday.

According to a press release issued by college principal Sanjay M. Peerapur during the convocation on Tuesday, Governor and Chancellor of the university Thawarchand Gehlot honoured the four gold medallists in the presence of Chairman, National Medical Commission, New Delhi, B.N. Gangadhar and Minister for Medical Education and Skill Development Sharanprakash R Patil.

Prof. Peerapur has said that Felentina James who secured the first rank in B.Sc Nursing also bagged five gold medals for her achievement. She is the first nursing student to get five gold medals in the history of the university.

Asha Menasagi has secured the first rank and a gold medal in P.B. B.Sc Nursing, while Pruthvi R. Revankar has secured the first rank and a gold medal in M.Sc Nursing in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Nursing.

Santosh Hattikatagi of the college has secured the sixth rank and a gold medal in M.Sc Nursing in Psychiatry Nursing.

According to Prof. Peerapur, students of the institution have created a record of sorts by bagging first ranks in B.Sc Nursing and M.S. Nursing for the third time in a row (2021, 2022 and 2023).

Madurai Kamaraj University protests: Fund release awaits annulment of illegal appointments: TN Edu Secretary

Madurai Kamaraj University protests: Fund release awaits annulment of illegal appointments: TN Edu Secretary

The MKU has been reeling under a financial crisis for the last five years due to over 6,000 audit objections.

Jeyalakshmi Ramanujam

Updated on:

23 Feb 2024, 7:52 am

MADURAI: As protests staged by employees and pensioners of the Madurai Kamaraj University(MKU) seeking release of their salaries and pensions for December and January entered its seventh day on Thursday, Principal Secretary to Higher Education Department A Karthik said that disbursal of funds is contingent on a report from the university registrar annulling appointments made through dubious means.

The MKU has been reeling under a financial crisis for the last five years due to over 6,000 audit objections. As a result, the higher education department stopped grants, and the university failed to generate income sources. This deprived the employees and pensioners of their remuneration for December and January, and they went on an indefinite strike.

For MKU Joint Action Committee Coordinator S Muthiah, the delay in payment has been a recurring issue. "If February is added, then we are yet to get salaries and pensions for three months. It is a blow to the dignity of employees and pensioners since we face difficulties in paying the house rent, groceries, children's education, and EMIs. It affects our mental and physical health. We work for a state-run university, and yet every month is a challenge," he told TNIE.

Muthiah added that despite the strike entering its seventh day, the protesters were not visited by MKU Vice-Chancellor J Kumar, or Registrar(i/c) M Ramakrishnan. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and Minister for Higher Education K Kannappan also failed to address the issue.

On the condition of anonymity, an official from MKU said that the department has asked MKU authorities to fulfil certain conditions, including taking action as per the recommendation of the high-level committee led by retired justice Akbar Ali, and submitting a report to the government. Karthik has also instructed them to issue necessary orders, specifying the monetary benefits extended to those found ineligible as per the report and recover it from them, since it is mandatory. The authorities, however, have allegedly tried to give CAS promotions to such appointees.

Speaking to TNIE, Karthik said that the pending funds for MKU employees and pensioners are under process, and added that it will be released once the department receives action taken report on several issues, including cancellation of appointments made through dubious means.

In response, V-C Kumar said that four individuals, who worked as casual labourers with the MKU, got orders from the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court to reinstate them. After the department sought details of those people, Registrar (i/c) Ramakrishnan travelled to Chennai along with the requested information.

Anna University to shut 12 colleges with less than five per cent enrolment; students to be shifted

Anna University to shut 12 colleges with less than five per cent enrolment; students to be shifted

The varsity will not allow these colleges to admit students for academic year 2024-25, admissions for which will begin in June.

Binita Jaiswal

Updated on:
19 Feb 2024, 8:26 am

CHENNAI: Anna University has decided to close down 12 of its affiliated engineering colleges owing to very low enrolment rate. These colleges, located in various districts, have not managed to fill even 5% of its allotted seats in the last four years.

The students in the 12 colleges will be shifted to other colleges.

“Despite repeated warnings, the colleges were not able to improve their enrolments. Colleges functioning with a handful of students will certainly not be able to provide quality education to students. For betterment of the students, the syndicate body of the university has decided to close these colleges,” said Anna University vice-chancellor R Velraj, adding that notices to the colleges for closure will be sent soon.

“The Directorate of Technical Education (DoTE) will be apprised about the situation. As per the rules, DoTE will facilitate the shifting of students from closed colleges to other colleges,” said Velraj.

The varsity will not allow these colleges to admit students for academic year 2024-25, admissions for which will begin in June. According to officials, the varsity had decided to shut down 25 colleges which had less than 10% enrolments.

However, in the syndicate meeting, held recently, it was decided to act only against the colleges with less than 5% admissions as closing 25 colleges in one go will affect the revenue of the university.

The university has decided to provide conditional approval to 87 colleges to operate. These 87 colleges have less than 25% admissions. “The colleges will be directed to improve their enrolments. These colleges should not compromise with basic facilities and infrastructure like faculty strength, laboratory or classrooms and should not compromise with the quality of education,” said a varsity official.

The lacunae in these colleges were found during the inspection conducted by Anna University last year. However, no action was taken against any of the colleges.

“Last year, one more chance was given to the colleges to improve things. But this year, the syndicate is in no mood to show any leniency towards these 12 colleges. They will not be allowed to operate,” said a senior faculty member. As many as 494 colleges in the state are affiliated to Anna University.

University of Madras stares at power cut as I-T puts bank accounts on hold

University of Madras stares at power cut as I-T puts bank accounts on hold

“We spoke to income tax officials but they are asking us to deposit at least Rs 20 crore immediately to remove the hold on bank accounts. We are not in a position to do that."

Express

Binita Jaiswal

Updated on:

12 Feb 2024, 10:35 am

CHENNAI: The University of Madras may face a complete blackout on Monday without power supply if it fails to pay its electricity bill due of `80 lakh by that date by clearing the hold placed on its 37 bank accounts by the I-T department. The income tax department has put a hold on the bank accounts over alleged nonpayment of Rs 424 crore tax dues.

As per rules, if an institution receives more than 51% of its revenue as grants from state or central government, it is treated as a government institution and is exempted from paying income tax. However, due to thousands of audit objections, the university has not received grants from the Tamil Nadu government since 2017. Because of this, the I-T department is considering the university as a private institution and has levied a tax of Rs 424 crore on it from 2017-18 to 2020-21.

“We spoke to income tax officials but they are asking us to deposit at least Rs 20 crore immediately to remove the hold on bank accounts. We are not in a position to do that,” an official of the university told TNIE on Sunday.

“After our 37 bank accounts were put on hold by the I-T department, over a dozen cheques issued by the university over the last three days under different heads have bounced. If we don’t pay the electricity bills by Monday, our power lines may be disconnected. Our classrooms and hostels could turn dark and we may not even be able to carry our routine work,” university sources said.

Apart from employees and pensioners, whose salaries and pension payments are under threat, students will be adversely affected as the university will not be able to clear the fellowship and scholarships dues.

‘Audit objections brought down to 1,900’

On an average, the university needs at least Rs 18 crore, including Rs 7 crore for salary and Rs 8 crore for pension, per month to manage its recurring expenses. Officials are worried that the 166-year-old institution, which produced six former Presidents and two Nobel Laureates, could come to a complete standstill if the issue is not resolved on a priority basis.

According to sources, apart from freezing the university’s 37 fixed deposit and bank accounts maintained with State Bank of India, Chepauk branch, the I-T department has also put on hold the accounts of the university with Tamil Nadu Power Finance and Infrastructure Development Corporation. Corpus fund, endowment funds, donations, and earnings from other sources of the university were deposited into these accounts.

The I-T department’s action has come as a bolt from the blue for the university that was already in acute financial crisis and struggling to manage its day-to-day expenses.

“Despite severe financial constraint, we were somehow running the show through other sources of income such as earnings of Institute of Distance Education, interests from endowment fund deposits, and contributory pension scheme deposits. But after freezing the accounts, the university operations have come to a standstill. And there is no immediate solution for the problem,” a professor of the university said.

According to a few professors and former vice-chancellors, the situation has arisen due to continuous neglect of governments over the years and rampant corruption by those in power.

“There are over 4,000 audit objections with respect to the university accounts and in the last four to five years, the varsity has managed to reduce it to 1,900. Still there are major objections related to irregularities in appointments and irregularity in fixation of salaries which will take years for rectification. We may not be able to get grants from the state government till then,” said a source.

Interestingly, the university which is struggling to deal with thousands of audit objections doesn’t have a full-time auditor due to paucity of funds.

“An officer in the rank of joint secretary or deputy secretary from the finance department of the state government is appointed as the finance officer of the university to look after the financial affairs. But over the last 10 years, the university has seen over four officers and the job has not been done properly,” a professor said.

Strapped for cash, University of Madras unable to manage hostels

Strapped for cash, University of Madras unable to manage hostels

Sources say varsity authorities are mulling taking loans to feed students

Express News Service

Updated on:
13 Feb 2024, 7:26 am

CHENNAI: University of Madras on Monday fell into a real predicament as it realised all its hostel bank accounts have been frozen by the Income Tax (I-T) department. Varsity authorities alleged that they have no money to operate the campus hostels now as the I-T department is tightening its noose around the university day by day.

“How will we feed the students in the hostels? As all the accounts are frozen and we don’t have a single rupee in hand to manage the hostels, “ said a hostel official, adding that the I-T department’s action is unfair. “The money deposited in the hostels’ account is not our earnings. It’s the money paid by students towards their lodging expenses,” said another official.

According to sources, the university has 7 hostels, which accommodate around 2,000 students. On average, the university needs `3 lakh per day to keep the hostels operational.

Sources said that the university authorities are contemplating taking loans to run the hostels. “As we can’t leave the students hungry, we will take a loan to manage the hostels. However, the loan will only add to our financial burden as we are already cash-strapped,” said an official.

Meanwhile, a team of varsity officials again met the I-T department on Monday, seeking relief on the issue. By the time of filing this report, discussion among the officials was still on. According to sources, the varsity has been apprised of the problems they face with the higher education secretary and state government.

“Hopefully, the state government will intervene in the matter and we will get relief. Otherwise, how we will pay a tax of `424 crore to the Income tax department,” asked a professor of the university.

Officials added that they will also have a discussion with the TNEB officials to get the last day to clear the bill extended.

Major reforms in NAAC accreditation

Major reforms in NAAC accreditation

The reforms have been recommended by the Ministry of Education Committee headed by Dr. K Radhakrishnan, Former Chairman ISRO and Chairperson, Standing Committee IIT Council

BY TELANGANA TODAY

PUBLISHED DATE - 27 JANUARY 2024, 08:25 PM

Hyderabad: Doing away with its present system, the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) undertook major reforms in the accreditation process introducing Binary Accreditation and Maturity-Based Graded Accreditation for the Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) in the country.

As for the binary accreditation, the Council will be declaring whether the HEI is accredited or unaccredited without awarding a score and grade as is being done now. As part of the Maturity-Based Graded Accreditation, the HEIs will be categorized under leveled accreditation from Level 1 to 5.

This, according to NAAC, is to encourage accredited institutions to raise their bar from ‘Level 1’ to ‘Level 4’ as Institutions of National Excellence, and then to ‘Level-5’ i.e.

Institutions of Global Excellence for Multi-Disciplinary Research and Education.

These reforms have been recommended by the Ministry of Education Committee headed by Dr. K Radhakrishnan, Former Chairman ISRO and Chairperson, Standing Committee IIT Council.

The metrics for both the Binary and Maturity-Based Graded Accreditation will focus on processes, outcomes and impact across different attributes of HEIs instead of mere input-centric.

Further, the One Nation One Data Platform has been proposed as part of the reform to ensure integrity and transparency in handling institutional data.

The reforms will be implemented in two stages with Binary accreditation coming into force in the next four months and no new applications will be accepted as per the present methodology thereafter.

Institutions that have already applied and are applying in the next four months will have the option to either go by the present process or by the new methodology of binary accreditation. The Maturity-based Graded levels will be implemented by December 2024.

This US university ties up with OpenAI to bring ChatGPT in to classrooms

This US university ties up with OpenAI to bring ChatGPT in to classrooms

TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Jan 19, 2024, 12.01 PM IST

Arizona State University announced it has become the first higher education institution to collaborate with OpenAI, the AI research and deployment company behind ChatGPT. “Research shows that nearly two-thirds of organizations are already actively exploring the integration of AI,” said ASU Chief Information Officer Lev Gonick. “By providing access to advanced AI capabilities, these tools are leveling the playing field, allowing individuals and organizations — regardless of size or resources — to harness the power of AI for creative and innovative endeavors.”

The collaboration between ASU and OpenAI brings the advanced capabilities of ChatGPT Enterprise into higher education, setting a new precedent for how universities enhance learning, creativity and student outcomes.

“ASU recognises that augmented and artificial intelligence systems are here to stay, and we are optimistic about their ability to become incredible tools that help students to learn, learn more quickly and understand subjects more thoroughly,” ASU President Michael M Crow said. “Our collaboration with OpenAI reflects our philosophy and our commitment to participating directly to the responsible evolution of AI learning technologies.”

Starting in February, ASU will invite submissions from faculty and staff to implement the innovative uses of ChatGPT Enterprise. The three key areas of concentration include: enhancing student success, forging new avenues for innovative research and streamlining organizational processes.

“The goal is to leverage our knowledge core here at ASU to develop AI-driven projects aimed at revolutionizing educational techniques, aiding scholarly research and boosting administrative efficiency,” Gonick said.

The platform prioritises user privacy, employing enterprise-grade security measures to safeguard user data. These measures are meticulously designed to protect against digital threats, providing a secure environment to utilise the platform's functionalities.

"Learning is core to why so many users love ChatGPT. ASU continues to lead in innovation by integrating ChatGPT into its educational programs,” OpenAI Chief Operating Officer Brad Lightcap said. “We’re keen to learn from ASU and to work towards expanding ChatGPT's impact in higher education.”

Newly-recruited guest faculty with qualifications for PhD guideship find themselves stranded in T.N. govt. colleges

Newly-recruited guest faculty with qualifications for PhD guideship find themselves stranded in T.N. govt. colleges

January 17, 2024 09:02 pm | Updated 09:02 pm IST

THE HINDU BUREAU

In the absence of research departments, Government arts and science colleges in the rural parts of Tamil Nadu that function only with undergraduate (UG) and limited postgraduate (PG) departments find themselves in a spot since the newly-recruited guest faculty with necessary qualifications for PhD guideship are not permitted to exercise their privilege anymore.

After taking up the job as guest faculty in the Government arts and science colleges, they find themselves stranded, in view of the UGC stipulation that the guideship for faculty is possible only through PG departments that are recognised as research centres. The guidelines specify that only professors of colleges offering PG degree courses and recognised as a research centre, can act as guides.

A good number of the qualified guest faculty who had earlier been teaching in self-financed arts and science colleges with research centres, in their capacity as Assistant Professors, could guide up to four PhD candidates.

Remotely-located government colleges affiliated to Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, are understood to have sought a remedy for the issue.

Government colleges with more number of guest faculty are understood to have applied to the university seeking research centre status to their departments.

“Once the university accords recognition to a PG department as a research centre, it will be easy for us to secure the mandatory recognition from the Directorate of Collegiate Education,” a principal of one such government college with only UG departments said.

While on the one hand, the UGC requires colleges to abide by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 that envisages promotion of quality research within the Higher Education system on the premise that research and innovation are important aspects to enhance quality education, the issue of denial of opportunities for rural students to pursue Ph.D. due to the stalemate has cropped up on the other, said a principal of a government college in a rural location.

“The establishment of Research and Development Cell in higher education institutions will enable attainment of targets of Atma-Nirbhar Bharat and is expected to play a pivotal role in catalysing multidisciplinary/ transdisciplinary and translational research culture mandated in NEP 2020,” the UGC guidelines on research guideship states.

“The university is seized of the issue, and the matter will soon be represented to the Higher Education Department,” Member of V-C Committee F. X. Lovelina Little Flower, said.

Central University Of Kerala Hiring Vice-Chancellor, Salary ₹ 2.10 Lakh

Central University Of Kerala Hiring Vice-Chancellor, Salary ₹ 2.10 Lakh

Central University Of Kerala Recruitment 2024: The monthly salary for the role is fixed at ₹ 2,10,000, along with a special allowance of ₹ 11,250 and other standard allowances.

Jobs Edited by Rahul Kumar Updated: January 14, 2024 12:43 pm IST

CU Kerala Vice-Chancellor Appointment: Applicants must not exceed 65 years of age.

New Delhi:

The Ministry of Education has issued a notification for the appointment of a vice-chancellor at the Central University of Kerala, Kasargod. The selection will be made from a list of recommended candidates under the Central Universities Act, 2009.

Applicants must not exceed 65 years of age. The monthly salary for the role is fixed at ₹ 2,10,000, along with a special allowance of ₹ 11,250 and other standard allowances.

The detailed advertisement and application format can be accessed on the websites of the ministry and the university. Interested individuals must submit their applications in the prescribed format by registered/speed post to the Director (CU-III), Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Room No.426, 'C' Wing, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi-110001, within 30 days from the publication date of the advertisement.

On the academic front, the university has currently invited applications for various postgraduate programmes. The deadline for application submission is January 24, 2024.

Established in October 2009, the university, located at Thejaswini Hills in Periye, Kasaragod, covers 310 acres of land allotted by the Government of Kerala in 2012.

Post a commentIt commenced with 17 students in two postgraduate programs and currently offers 27 postgraduate and 22 research programmes, catering to around 2,500 students. The permanent campus, with a built-up area of 6,58,400 Sq Ft, boasts additional departments in Thiruvalla and Trivandrum offering specialised programmes.

Cloud over his degree, IIM Rohtak director faces probe on money transfer

Cloud over his degree, IIM Rohtak director faces probe on money transfer

The Indian Express called and sent a text message to Sharma for his comment on the government inquiry but he was unavailable.

Written by Ritika Chopra

New Delhi | Updated: January 13, 2024 19:31 IST

IIM-Rohtak Director Dheeraj Sharma. 

Months after the Union Government amended the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Act, granting it greater say in the functioning of the 20 premier business schools, the Education Ministry has launched an inquiry into the accounts of IIM-Rohtak to investigate allegations of financial irregularities, including a complaint that the institute “illegally” transferred Rs 2 crore to its director’s account as “variable pay.”

The Indian Express has learned that the ministry, a little less than two months ago, tasked its Principal Chief Controller of Accounts with investigating allegations of funds embezzlement by the institute’s director, Dheeraj Sharma, in the form of “variable pay” and charging of “exorbitant fees from students,” among other concerns. The PPCA was asked to submit a “detailed report” on the same.

The Indian Express called and sent a text message to Sharma for his comment on the government inquiry but he was unavailable.

Significantly, Sharma is already under government scrutiny for allegedly misrepresenting his educational qualifications to secure his initial term as IIM Rohtak’s director in 2017. The job required a first-class Bachelor’s degree, but he had obtained a second division at the undergraduate level.

The government acknowledged this discrepancy in the Punjab and Haryana High Court in March 2022, only after he completed his first term. Despite objections from the ministry representative on the institute’s Board of Governors (BoG) due to revelations about his academic credentials, Sharma was reappointed for a second term by the Board as the institute’s head in February 2022.

According to the latest complaint that the Ministry has taken cognizance of, the institute is accused of transferring Rs 2 crore to Sharma’s account as “variable pay” for the years 2018-19 and 2019-20 without approval of the Board. The Indian Express has learned that the institute has defended this money transfer on the ground that it was approved by the BOG in its 45th meeting held on December 11, 2020 on account of meeting “performance parameters.”

Apart from this, the inquiry will look into at least 10 complaints that the government has received from students on the institute refusing to refund their fee deposit despite withdrawal of their admission from its five-year integrated programme in management and PhD programmes. It will also probe whether the institute charged “exorbitant fee” from students despite having adequate reserves and thereby defeating the “not-for-profit motive” of education laid down by law.

The inquiry comes months after the Education Ministry, in a surprising move, introduced an amendment Bill for the IIM Act during the monsoon session last year in July, significantly diluting the autonomy granted to the 20 IIMs five years ago with the enactment of the IIM Act in 2018.

The changes were made to entrust the management accountability of the IIMs with the President, who will be the Visitor to the premier B-schools with powers to audit their functioning and remove or appoint directors. Earlier, these powers were vested in the IIM Board with the Union government having little say in the matter.

Now, the President, in her capacity as Visitor, has the power to appoint the Chairperson to the Board of Governors and the director of the institute and nominate an individual to the search-cum-selection committee for the position of Director, giving the government a say in these crucial appointments.

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had justified the changes saying the government has no intention to take away the academic accountability from the institute but the Bill will ensure the accountability of its management.

High court seeks report from magistrate who gave bail to Periyar University VC

High court seeks report from magistrate who gave bail to Periyar University VC

Chennai: Madras high court has called for a report from the magistrate who granted interim bail to Periyar University vice-chancellor R Jagannathan, who was arrested by Salem police on charges of floating a private company without prior consent of the government and for offences punishable under SC/ST Act.

Justice P Dhanabal passed the interim order on a plea moved by Salem police seeking to cancel the interim bail.

The issue pertains to an order passed by judicial magistrate II of Salem by rejecting the remand of Jagannathan who was arrested under Sections 294(b) (obscene acts), 120B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating), 460 (trespass), 409 (criminal breach of trust) r/w.511, 506(1) (criminal intimidation) and 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) of SC/ST (POA) Act.

According to the prosecution, the magistrate observed that the offences are punishable within 7 years and thereby, as per the judgment in the Arnesh Kumar and Satender Kumar Antil case, the procedures under section 41 of CrPC have to be followed.

But the magistrate failed to note that the offences punishable under section 409 is up to life and life means not less than 20 years. Since the offences under section 409 r/w 511 is punishable up to 10 years, the observation of the magistrate is erroneous, the prosecution said.

“The magistrate failed to consider the mandatory provisions of section 15-A of SC/ST (POA) Act. As per Section 15-A (3) of SC/AT (POA) Act, the victim or his dependent shall have the right to reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of any court proceeding including any bail proceeding,” they added.

Recording the submissions, the court said, “In this context, the magistrate has recorded in the order that there is no allegation in respect of cheating or misappropriation and thereby the magistrate has not considered the section 409 r/w 511 IPC.”

Further the order was passed by the magistrate under section 59 of CrPC and as per section no person who has been arrested by a police officer shall be discharged except on his own bond, or on bail, or under the special order of magistrate, the court said.

In the present case also, the police have arrested the accused and then produced before the magistrate and thereby, the magistrate has passed the order under CrPC and not by invoking the SC/ST (POA) Act, the court added.

Since the magistrate has passed the order in detail, it is appropriate to call for a report from the magistrate and also to hear the police as well as the victim , the court said in its order.

Periyar varsity on radar, now for scam in govt scheme

Periyar varsity on radar, now for scam in govt scheme

As per the complaint filed by A Prem and four other students, in November 2022, 200 students joined the six-month Data Science course in the centre.

Published: 01st January 2024 08:37 AM |

By Express News Service

SALEM: Alleging serious irregularities in the execution of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) at Periyar University, students filed a complaint with Salem city police on Sunday.

The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) launched the scheme in 2014 as part of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), with an aim to train rural youth and provide them with jobs with monthly wages. The centre for the DDU-GKY scheme at the University is functioning with the financial assistance of the central government.

As per the complaint filed by A Prem and four other students, in November 2022, 200 students joined the six-month Data Science course in the centre. However, after two months, the administration cancelled offline classes with a promise of online classes which never happened, alleged the students. They also said during the admission, the administration had opened bank accounts in their names to receive the scholarship amount but did not give the passbooks and ATM cards to them.

The students said, “We suspect they might have swindled our scholarship amount deposited by the government. There is a huge scam going on at the Periyar University under this scheme.” When asked about it, an official said, “The centre is still conducting classes for 60 students. The students, who filed the complaint, must contact the CEO,” he said.

Despite multiple attempts, K Thangavel, University Registrar (in-charge), who is also the CEO of the centre for the DDU-GKY scheme, was unavailable for a comment.

State set to replace governor with CM as chancellor of universities

State set to replace governor with CM as chancellor of universities

TNN | Nov 22, 2023, 05.27 AM IST

State set to replace governor with CM as chancellor of universities

Chennai: Tamil Nadu is in the process of changing the chief minister as the Chancellor of state universities replacing the governor, the state Advocate-General R Shunmugasundaram told Madras high court on Tuesday.

Shunmugasundaram made the submission in response to a public interest writ petition challenging the formation of a search committee to select vice-chancellor for University of Madras without a member nominated by the UGC.

Responding to the submission, the first bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Vijaykumar Gangapurwala and Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy observed that the court was not concerned about it in the present plea.

“All we wanted to know is whether the University is receiving funds from the UGC,” the judges said. Since the A-G sought some time to ascertain the details, the court adjourned the hearing to December 18.

On November 4, while admitting the plea moved by advocate B Jagannath, the court observed that inclusion of a member nominated by the UGC would be mandatory if the university is receiving funds from UGC.

According to the petitioner, a bare perusal and plain reading of the GO would highlight the fact quite clearly that the nominee of the UGC has been let out deliberately in contravention of the directives of the Supreme Court.

“The GO passed by the state is without jurisdiction and smacks of bona fides as the same has been done as part of an ego tussle with malicious political motives to undermine, discredit, downgrade and destroy the phenomenal historical educational institution,” he said.

Therefore, he wanted the court to set aside the GO dated September 13 as illegal, void and unconstitutional.

VISVA BHARATI UNIVERSITY

Academics oppose V-C appointments by Governor

Academics oppose V-C appointments by Governor

SHIV SAHAY SINGH KOLKATA

A group of academics on Friday held protests outside the Raj Bhavan in Kolkata against “the arbitrary appointment of interim Vice-Chancellors that has gravely affected higher education in the State”.

Om Prakash Mishra, Deb Narayan Bandyopadhyay, Sonali Chakravarti Banerjee, Swagata Sen and Sibaji Pratim Basu were among those who held protests outside the Raj Bhavan. “His Excellency, we request you to abandon your illegal ways. Dictatorial aspirations and a domineering approach do not suit your formal position. The Chancellor is a creature of statutes and his powers are limited by the statutes. It is good to obey the command of law and shun the path of confrontation. We appeal to you to consider our request in a time-bound manner,” they said in a letter to Governor C.V. Ananda Bose.

Faculty associations oppose Ravi’s move on V-C search committees for three universities

Faculty associations oppose Ravi’s move on V-C search committees for three universities

R.N. Ravi

State government has officially opposed the Governor’s action of constituting the committees for Bharathiar University, University of Madras, and the Tamil Nadu Teachers Education University. Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy has said the Governor did not have the powers to do so

THE HINDU BUREAU CHENNAI

At least three organisations, representing working and retired faculty members of various higher education institutions in Tamil Nadu, have separately issued statements condemning Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi for unilaterally constituting “search-cum-selection” committees for filling the post of Vice-Chancellors in three State universities.

The Joint Action Council of College Teachers (JAC), Tamil Nadu, which is a confederation of three organisations — MUTA (Madurai Kamaraja, Manonmaniam Sundaranar, Mother Teresa and Alagappa University Teachers Association), AUT (Association of University Teachers) and TNGCTA ( Tamil Nadu Government Collegiate Teachers Association), said the Governor’s move was tantamount to appropriating the power of the State Assembly.

The Tamil Nadu government has officially opposed the Governor’s action of constituting the committees for the three universities — Bharathiar University, University of Madras, and the Tamil Nadu Teachers Education University. In a statement, Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy said Governor did not have the powers to do so.

Echoing similar views, JAC, Tamil Nadu, said every university was governed by their respective Acts and only the State government was empowered to release orders regarding the constitution of the committees.

The Tamil Nadu Retired College Teachers Association (TANRECTA), said while the Governor, in his unilateral notification, has included a nominee of University Grants Commission’s Chairman as fourth member in the committees, the 2018 UGC regulations, which demand such an inclusion, were not yet adopted by State govt.

Makkal Kalvi Kootiyakkam, a Madurai-based organisation fighting for issues in higher education, alleged that by constituting the committees, the Governor wanted to be the ultimate deciding authority.

Alleging that the Governor’s action was in violation of existing laws and against people’s will, it urged him to withdraw the move.

Announcement on BU V-C search panel by Governor evokes curiosity among faculty

Announcement on BU V-C search panel by Governor evokes curiosity among faculty

THE HINDU BUREAU COIMBATORE

09.09.2023

The faculty of Bharathiar University and affiliated colleges are watching with curiosity the outcome of the constitution of Search Committee by the Chancellor and Governor, against the backdrop of the government making clear its intention to challenge the inclusion of UGC nominee.

The government has taken a stand that formation of the Vice-Chancellor Search Committee comes entirely under the purview of the government.

The Governor had announced the four-member committee with the addition of the UGC Chairman nominee B. Thimmegowda, former Vice-Chancellor, Bangalore University, to the existing panel members consisting of retired IAS officer P.W.C. Davidar as the government nominee and the convener, P. Duraisamy, a former V-C of Madras University as Syndicate nominee and G. Thiruvasagam, a former V-C of Bharathiyar University as Senate nominee.

Last November, the Maharashtra Public University Act 2016 was amended by the State government for appointing Vice-Chancellors to its State Universities, for inclusion of a representative of the University Grant Commission (UGC) in the search-cum-selection committee.

The move came in the wake of Kerala high court quashing the appointment of a V-C to a university for non-adherence to appointment of UGC nominee in the search panel.

The membership of UGC nominee in the V-C Search panel has become a necessity in the changed scenario, former Vice-Chancellor of Madras and Madurai Kamaraj Universities P.K. Ponnuswamy said.

According to another senior academic, in situations where there is a conflict between the State University Act and the UGC Regulations, 2018, to the extent of State legislation being incompatible, the UGC Regulations, 2018 shall prevail. Citing Article 254(1), he said: “If any provision of a state law is repugnant to a provision in a law made by Parliament, which Parliament is competent to enact, or with any existing law regarding any matter in the Concurrent List, then the Parliamentary law would prevail over the State law.”

A hitch in this case, however, is that the Governor has announced the search committee, which has no precedent, a senior faculty said. Though Bharathiar University has been re-accredited with A++ rating, the delay in appointment of a full-time Vice-Chancellor is likely to affect the varsity’s standing at the national and international levels, he said.

IIT-Madras blended medical degree course: More than 6,000 apply for 30 seats

IIT-Madras blended medical degree course: More than 6,000 apply for 30 seats

TNN | Jul 18, 2023, 08.23 PM IST

CHENNAI: The first-ever blended medical degree of IIT- Madras has attracted more than 6,000 applications for a sanctioned strength of 30 seats.

“We have received applications in a 1:20 ratio for the first-batch. The admissions will be based on the scores in the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT). The course will begin on July 31,” IIT-Madras director V Kamakoti said while explaining various initiatives taken by the institute to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

“This programme is one of the initiatives under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 which is promoting interdisciplinary programmes,” he added.

Students joining this programme will study anatomy, physiology of organs, mathematical modelling of organ system, pathology of organ system along with basic engineering principles, fundamental sciences, machine learning and others.

“IIT-Madras has partnered with seven hospitals and roped in doctors as professors of practice to teach the students,” said Boby George, head, department of medical sciences and technology, IIT-Madras.

Kamakoti said the institute was targeting to have 100 startups this year. “As of our records, only 5% of our students have given addresses abroad. However, many are still working in MNCs. We want to attract all our students to startups,” he added.

IIT-Madras is also planning to launch the classes on its first-ever international campus at Zanzibar in Tanzania on October 25.

During the first year, the institute will offer one UG programme and one PG programme in data science and artificial intelligence. He said the courses would be open to students from all countries including India. Students will be enrolled based on a screening test.

The institute also plans to launch its BSc (maths and computing) with BEd to produce good maths teachers at school level. In another initiative, the institute proposes to train 25,000 students from 250 government schools annually in basic electronics. It will be launched in next month.

Around 25,000 candidates have enrolled in the BS in data science and applications, the online degree of IIT--Madras. Its second online degree programme -- electronic systems -- has attracted 1,800 applications.

University of Madras draws on pension and endowment fund to meet salary expenses

University of Madras draws on pension and endowment fund to meet salary expenses

Cash-strapped varsity forced to draw short-term deposits to meet expenses

June 21, 2023 01:07 pm |- CHENNAI

S Vijay Kumar


University of Madras is reported to be facing acute financial crisis.

University of Madras is reported to be facing acute financial crisis.

Amid acute financial constraints and a proposal for grant-in-aid pending with the State Government, the University of Madras has diluted the Contributory Pension Scheme Fund and Endowment Fund to disburse salary/pension and meet other obligatory expenses for the month of May 2023.

According to sources in the university, short-term deposits made from Contributory Pension Scheme Fund and Endowment Fund to the tune of ₹7.6 crore which matured in May 2023, were utilised to meet the shortfall for salary for staff, retired employees and other expenses. A decision was taken to restore the money to the respective accounts on receipt of the grant-in-aid from the government.

The sources said the university had a monthly recurring expense of about ₹18.61 crores in the form of salary to 779 teaching and non-teaching staff, pension to 1,463 retired teaching, non-teaching staff and family pensioners, payment for temporary staff, security service, electricity etc. There was no response yet on the proposal seeking grant-in-aid for ₹18 crores to meet these expenses for the month of May 2023 sent to the Principal Secretary, Higher Education Department.

As on May 31, 2023, the university had only ₹5 crores available in different accounts and there was a shortfall of ₹11.50 crores to pay the salary, pension and other day-to-day budgetary charges which forced the authorities to withdraw the pension and endowment funds as a temporary measure.

Delay in the release of Block Grant by the State Government, which is paid as salary of staff (sanctioned posts), non-reimbursement of payments to temporary and outsourced staff, guest lecturers etc had crippled the financial stability of the university. The University of Madras and the Madurai Kamaraj University were the worst affected, the sources said.

A payment of ₹11.46 crores which the university is entitled to as an additional grant cleared and forwarded to the Government by the Deputy Director, Local Audit Fund, for the year 2021-22 was also pending, the sources added.