Former IGNOU VC rubbishes allegations

 Former IGNOU vice chancellor V N Rajasekharan Pillai has termed the CBI allegations against him of favouring two universities as “absolutely baseless”.

 He said the approvals given to these institutions were in accordance with prevailing norms and procedures. In an email message, he said the two universities — Sikkim Manipal University and Punjab Technical University — were given sanction to run distance learning courses by the Distance Education Council (DEC), which has the legal authority to approve courses for recognised universities. “DEC has held several meetings after the approval and it has not raised any objection till date,” he said.

The controversy regarding the approval by the Indira Gandhi National Open University for distance education courses of Punjab Technical University and Sikkim Manipal University is unfortunate, misplaced and absolutely baseless. “The allegations have been levelled by conveniently hiding the truth and glossing over the fundamental fact that both universities are controlled by their respective state governments and are not in the private sector, as is being reported repeatedly,” he said.

He said these universities are recognised by the University Grants Commission and other statutory bodies in the government. “All formalities required in this regard were done and the approval was given in line with recommendations made by the inspection panels concerned. It was not the case of favouring those universities as due procedures and formalities were observed,” he said.