Teachers forum alleges lapses in appointment of guest faculty at UoM

The members of Karnataka Teachers Forum (KTF) alleged irregularities in the appointment of the guest faculty at the University of Mysore (UoM). According to the forum president Sharath Raj, a person has managed to obtain the job based on Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) degree certificates.

In a press conference here on Wednesday, the forum president Sharath Raj, also a guest faculty in the Department of Studies in Law, alleged that the varsity has illegally appointed around 40 guest faculty, who had not even applied for the post or attended the interview.

The applications were invited from qualified candidates to work at the University constituent colleges, post-graduate departments at Manasagangothri and at post-graduate centres in Mandya, Hassan, and Chamarajanagar, to cope up with the additional work-load for the academic year 2017-18.

As per the notification, the last date to submit the application to the Registrar was July 6, 2017, but, a few people, who did not apply, are now appointed, he alleged.

Raj alleged that the guest teachers managed to get the jobs without applying for the posts and attending the interview. He suspected the role of UoM authorities in the irregularities and said that the forum would approach High Court and also lodge a complaint with Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).

Raj said that while University Grants Commission (UGC), de-recognised the courses of Karnataka State Open University, UoM appointed a person, who obtained a degree from KSOU. "Is the certificates of KSOU valid to get an appointment in the varsity," he asked.

'Appoint permanent VC'

He also said, "The forum would file a public interest litigation at High Court demanding measures to appoint permanent vice chancellor for the UoM. The varsity has no permanent VC from last one year. After the retirement of K S Rangappa in January 2017, the post is lying vacant.  

However, UoM Registrar D Bharati denied the allegation of the forum and said that no such irregularities have occurred in the appointment process. She said that a few positions are still vacant as the persons attended the interview had no caliber. "We will notify and receive applications for the posts soon," the Registrar said.