Nursing college chief accused of harassment

Dispute:Staff, students threat to hold protest

The members, led by Association president Nagaraj, met Damayanthi at her chamber and warned of staging a protest at the college premises, if the harassment continues.

Nagaraj alleged that Sarojamma and Shobha Jagavalu who are on deputation from Victoria hospital, Bangalore, have gone on since the past nine months. They visit the college once in two or three months just to sign the register and apply for leave again. This has irked the other staff members, as they claim that they are not been able to avail the leave because of them. The number of staff on deputation is more than the regular staff and they allege of mental harassment by Damayanthi when they request for leave. They are even subjected to verbal abuse when they question how Sarojamma and Shobha were entitled for long leave.

The students too have staged several protests against the principal, holding her responsible for groupism among the students.  A complaint would be submitted to the deputy commissioner in this regard soon. If the situation continues, the students and staff would go on strike, he warned.

When contacted, Damayanthi denied allegations against her. Accepting that Sarojamma and Shobha are on leave, she said that since they are on deputation she did not have right to either reject or sanction leave for them. The last leave application submitted by them had not been sent to Bangalore, and when questioned the staff members are threatening her with allegations, she said.

Some students too had been complaining to media against Damayanthi and demanding her transfer.