Kerala State Higher Edu Minister R Bindu has intervened and taken cognizance of an RTI reply related to the violation of UGC rules in the principal’s appointment process. The minister has asked officials to produce the e-files regarding the selection process. Kerala administrative tribunal had directed to consider all those who have qualified apart from the 43 selected.
K Surendran, the BJP State President, called for the resignation of Higher Education Minister R Bindu, accusing her of sabotaging the appointment list of Principals to government arts and science colleges. According to Surendra, the Minister misused her power, filling the list with unqualified individuals and favouring party cadres over merit-based appointments. She broke her oath of office and acted nepotistically, according to him. The Chief Minister also emphasized the decline of higher education in Kerala due to corruption and violence, leaving thousands of vacant university seats. In light of such circumstances, Surendra questioned the need for a Higher Education Ministry.
A summary of the most important elements is as follows:
- R Bindu, Minister of Higher Education, has been called to resign by K Surendra.
- There have been allegations of sabotage in the appointment of principals to government colleges.
- Unqualified appointments and nepotism are alleged.
- Kerala’s higher education sector faces shame due to corruption and scams.
- Every university has thousands of vacant degree course seats.
- The Chief Minister’s silence on the matter is questioned.
- Lack of teachers and infrastructure resulted in the loss of 200 medical seats.
- Violence and threats from SFI led to Kerala students migrating.
- Higher education in Kerala fails to attract students from outside the state.
- Higher Education Ministry relevance questioned.
The seven candidates who had been disqualified by the selection committee had filed a petition in Kerala Administrative Tribunal. The vacancy is of 2022 for which 110 candidates had applied and the selection committee had listed only 43 candidates on the UGC qualification criteria basis. Then after those candidates also qualified the criteria but were out listed from the selected list, moved to the tribunal.
The tribunal in its interim verdict of 24th July, has directed the government to consider all those who have also qualified for the seat left. The government agreed to a sixth-ranked candidate after the tribunal verdict, although the left-qualified candidates have received no posting letter.
Taking cognizance and action on the selection process, the Higher Edu Minister R Bindu has asked the officials to present all files related to violation of UGC norms in the selection process of Principles for Government Arts and Science Colleges. She has set up an appeal Committee also. The committee will facilitate the inclusion of all qualified candidates.
The matter is still under a judicial triangle.
