13th July 2012 His Excellency Thiru K.

Rosaiah The Governor of Tamil Nadu Raj bhavan, Chennai

Sub: 1.Scams in almost all the Public Universities in Tamil Nadu 2.Appointment of Vice Chancellors to various universities in Tamil Nadu.

Your Excellency, Greetings. The appointment in April 2012, of an Associate Professor (English) of a college who does not have any track record of research or administration as the Vice Chancellor of Madurai Kamaraj University came as a rude shock to many concerned citizens and educationalists. The above appointment of a Daughter-in-law of an important party functionary is seen as a classic case of nepotism by the new Government too, following the footsteps of the previous Government. Unfortunately, there were allegations that several appointments of non-meritorious persons to the posts of Vice Chancellor during the previous DMK regime of 2006-11 were purely on the basis of political affiliations and that Vice Chancellor posts were openly auctioned and given to the highest bidder. A Chinese proverb says, A fish rots from the head down. This is exactly what has happened as the natural outcome of appointment of non-meritorious and dubious characters as Vice Chancellors to various Government universities in Tamil Nadu in the past few years. The whole office of Vice Chancellors stands denigrated now with negative connotations. The Kothari Commission of 1964-66 had stated that A Vice-chancellor should be a person with vision and (have) qualities of academic leadership with ability for administration. He should command high respect among all sections of the society. He should be a distinguished academic (who) has commitment to the values for which the universities stand. He must have the ability to provide leadership to the university by his academic worth, administrative competence and moral stature. The Parikh Committee in 1993 also states that the Vice Chancellor is the most important functionary in a university not only on the administrative side but is also charged with the responsibility of creating the right atmosphere for teachers and students. The universities need

distinguished and dignified persons as VCs and it is necessary to ensure that they are treated with dignity and regard, which the office merits. The Gnanam Committee too makes similar observations to select candidates of high quality and vision for the posts of Vice Chancellors. UGC has framed clear-cut guidelines for appointment of Vice Chancellors. The guidelines also state that the members of search committees shall be persons of eminence in the sphere of higher education and shall not be connected in any manner with the university concerned or its colleges. While preparing the panel, the search committee must give proper weightage to academic excellence, exposure to the higher education system in the country and abroad, and adequate experience in academic and administrative governance. The UGC guidelines also suggest that the search committee should consist of a nominee each of the chancellor, UGC and the syndicate of the university concerned. The guidelines also explain the criteria for being a " distinguished academic" for the appointment as Vice Chancellor. The UGC has also come out with Regulations on minimum qualifications for appointment of teachers and academic staff in universities and colleges and measures for the maintenance of standards in higher education. In Tamil Nadu, UGC norms are followed well when it comes to issues such as Pay scales of teaching staff in Universities. But, it is unfortunate that the same UGCs norms are not followed in the selection procedure and appointment of Vice Chancellors. As the Chancellor of all the public Universities in Tamil Nadu, a great responsibility rests in your Excellency to ensure that pro-active measures are taken in consultation with the Honble Chief Minister to stem the rot, clear the stench of corruption, stop the perpetuation of injustice and betrayal, and restore the higher educational institutions to be able to truly benefit the innocent youth entering them and who are our only hope for a developed India. We sincerely hope, only distinguished academics who command high respect and regard on account of their track record are appointed through a transparent process as Vice Chancellors to various universities in the coming weeks. Jai Hind. Thanking you. Sincerely yours (Social Activists, Educationalists and concerned citizens) Name & Details Signature

ANNEXURE:

A limited compilation of various negative reports that prove that the rot appears to have set deep into the organs of higher education in Tamil Nadu. Scams and allegations: 1.In Anna University, Coimbatore, there were serious allegations of corruption in 2009 against the then Vice Chancellor, who was subsequently suspended and a DVAC enquiry ordered. However, no progress appears to have been made in the case till date. 2. In Madurai Kamaraj University, there are allegations that more than 120 posts of Assistant and Associate Professors were sold for as much as Rs14 lakhs by its previous Vice Chancellor and now a one-man probe by a retired Judge has been ordered by the University authorities. 3. In Manonmaniam Sundaranar University,Thirunelveli too, there are serious allegations of all sorts of irregularities including fraudulent admissions, awarding of marks to Students and selling of franchise to dubious institutions for conducting distance and continuing education. 4. Salem Periyar University too has been rocked by a spate of allegations of irregularities, several shady deals and corrupt practices. 5. In Thiruvalluvar University, Vellore, there are allegations of large-scale scandal in the appointment of teaching and non-teaching staff for its four constituent colleges. 6. In Anna University during 2010, there were allegations of fake mark sheet scam in admissions to Engineering seats in the institution.. Now, yet another scam of awarding of marks to Engineering students who have failed in examinations in Anna University has come to surface this year and a probe has been ordered into the same. 7. Madras University too is now rocked by allegations of involvement of large number of officials in the irregularities in BE/BTech and distance education examinations of Madras University for the year 2011. 8. In Anna University, Chennai, there are serious allegations of systematic fraud against some of the officials including its former Vice Chancellor Thiru.D.Viswanathan for collusion with the son of previous Governor of Tamil Nadu Thiru SS.Barnala, who incidentally was the Chancellor to 20 universities in Tamil Nadu. The allegations included collusion, forgery and rigging of tenders in favour of Thiru Barnalas son for supply of materials. 9. The allegations against the son of Thiru SS Barnala relates to corruption of forgery and rigging of tenders to at least 13 Universities and colleges affiliated to Anna University. 10. Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore has also become infamous because of serious allegations of corruption and diversion of university funds by the Vice Chancellor Dr.P.Murugesh Boopathy to his wifes private trust. He was incidentally, a former personal

assistant to the then Agricultural Minister Thiru Veerapandi Arumugam. Now, a DVAC enquiry has been ordered against him on more than 20 charges which include purchase of Chinese equipments, surveillance cameras and security equipments at highly inflated rates from the firm of son of former Governor Thiru Surjit Sigh Barnala 11. In Thanjavur Tamil University, the Vice Chancellor appointed on 10th Februay 2012, who is known for his uprightness and probity resigned within less than 3 months of appointment. 12. In Bharathiyar University, a DVAC enquiry was conducted on alleged irregularities and there are allegations of favoritism in appointment of Registrar, Senate committees and violation of UGC norms in recognition to certain colleges. 13. In Bharathidasan University too, there are allegations on selling of teacher posts and irregularities in awarding of contracts against the Vice Chancellor, etc. 14. Now, the Madras High Court has ordered a probe into the irregularities into excess admissions in the Department of Architecture of Anna University and it is alleged that Architecture seats were sold for Rs15 to Rs20 lakh per seat. Not only the Vice Chancellors, but also Senate in all the universities are also embroiled in all types of politicking and nepotism. The whole atmosphere in Universities in Tamil Nadu stands highly vitiated today. While Public funded Universities are in such a mess, many of the so called Deemed universities in Tamil Nadu run by powerful politicians directly or through proxy have become a big Racket of fraud and open exploitation of students and their parents. Shamefully, no authority in the Centre or the State seem to be able to rein in these exploitative rackets. Urgent Need for Exclusive Fast Track Courts: The entire higher education in Tamil Nadu has become hotbed of corruption, politicization, caste politics and absolute lack of vision. They have become an unethical rackets of printing and distributing Degree certificates. Thus, a great injustice of monumental proportions is being heaped on aspiring students and youth. In order to complete quickly and efficiently, the probes and DVAC enquiries into all the allegations of irregularities and corruption against Vice Chancellors and other officials of various Universities in Tamil Nadu and to clean up the entire University system, setting up Exclusive Fast track Courts is the urgent need of the hour.