Times News Network
 
Bangalore Sept 6: There cannot be a bigger irony. On Teacher's Day, two vice-chancellors have come under the scanner following charges of corruption and mismanagement.

Governor T N Chaturvedi, also chancellor of state varsities, on Tuesday constituted a threemember committee headed by former Karnataka HC judge S R Venkatesh Murthy, to probe irregularity charges against Syeda Akhtar, VC of Karnataka State Women's University in Bijapur. Other members of the committee are: former KAS officer V R Kulkarni and former controller of state accounts C B Patel.

Tumkur varsity V-C O Anantharamaiah is also under the scanner as his office has been accused of misappropiation of funds and functioning in an autocratic manner. The government or the governor will constitute a separate committee to probe these charges.

In both cases, the allegations have been made by university officials. Charges against Akhtar range from placing printing orders without inviting tenders to the tune of Rs 5.75 lakh to splurging Rs 8 lakh on dry fruits, gifts and lunches! The vice-chancellor also faces charges of evading income-tax of Rs 1.80 lakh.

The last nail in the coffin was the alleged irregularities in the appointment of professors and non-teaching staff, where the V-C is said to have favoured her kin and selection was made even before conducting interviews.

When the chancellor sought clarifications (June 7) on these allegations, the V-C said (June 15): "We have maintained total confidentiality in recruitments... and adjudged the merit of each candidate. Strict procedures and norms of UGC/AICTE/NCTE along with experience qualifications and reservation pattern are followed very systematically..."

An upset governor even convened a special meeting with all Syndicate members. But since the 'excuses' were unsatisfactory, the governor has now gone in for a full-fledged probe.

But things couldn't get any worse with Tumkur University. When the university itself has not been officially inaugurated, its VC Anantharamaiah will come under the probe for maladministration. The registrar has shot off a letter to the governor and also to the higher education minister listing several instances of flouting rules while taking important decisions and fund management.

The registrar has alleged the V-C's office has kept him in the dark while routing important files, including purchase of computers, and not informing him of crucial meetings.

The Times of India quoted Anantharamaiah saying "I've not taken a single decision unilaterally. All decisions have been brought to Syndicate's notice. I'm not aware of any specific allegations against me. There is a possibility that some irregularities might have occurred prior to my appointment."

Higher education minister D H Shankaramurthy said: "I have asked the governor to order a probe against all allegations in Tumkur University. It's improper for me to order a probe against the vice-chancellor."

Some of the charges against Syeda Akhtar

• Spending Rs 8 lakh on breakfast, lunch and gifts
• Not maintaining log book for her official car
• Appointing ineligible persons with high salaries
• Printing orders without inviting tenders
  

Irregularities in recruitments Complaints made by Tumkur varsity registrar

• Important files not brought to registrar's notice
• Placing orders using registrar's seal
• Not issuing meeting notices
• Irregular appointment of staff