Hyderabad: An English and Foreign Language University professor’s appointment to six major posts by the administration has stirred the hornet’s nest. Student unions alleged that the professor has been appointed to hide financial irregularities and misuse of funds.
Professor Syed Sayeed, head of the Aesthetic and Philosophy department is currently holding the posts of nodal officer, finance officer, registrar, principal adviser to the vice-chancellor and dean of Inter Disciplinary School.
Mohan Dharavath, a Ph.D student and member of DABMSA union said, “The pension scheme of 11 university professors (working and retired), who come under the Contributory Provident Fund (CPF) sch-eme, was converted into Ge-neral Provident Fund in violation of the University Grants Commission rules, and sanctioned '1.4 crore before May 2013.
The conversion was illegal as the matter is sub judice. The conversion has created a burden of '8 crore on the university’s budget. The university heads took this decision in collusion with the finance officer.”
The students alleged that the administration compelled the former registrar and finance officer to approve this conversion. However, when they refused, they were forced to resign and both charges were handed to Professor Sayeed.
Sandeep Patil, student and member of Telangana Students’ Association union, alleged that large amounts of money were withdrawn from students’ welfare fu-nds for personal use of university heads.
They have stopped travel grants and credit system to hospitals for students with no record of the money. The students sought a CBI probe into the financial irregularities and Professor Sayeed’s role.
However, when contacted, Professor Syed Sayeed said, “My appointment was the decision of the administration. Though I am holding many posts, I am given no extra salary, perks or transport allowance. The pension scheme conversion was done months prior to my appointment.
I am temporarily holding the post of finance officer and registrar as the posts fell vacant after the officials resigned. If an inquiry is conducted, I am willing to cooperate. I am in no way involved in the conversion of the pension scheme as it was done much before I took charge.”
