Kerala Veterinary University crisis: Minister calls meet

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Agriculture minister K. P. Mohanan has called a meeting on Tuesday of Kerala Veterinary University Teachers Association and Teachers Organisation of Veterinary University Kerala to defuse the situation as teachers and students have been up in arms against vice-chancellor Dr B. Ashok for his alleged autocratic style of functioning.

Allegations against him include non-constitution of board of management, financial irregularities, nepotism and corruption in appointments and 'unbridled hike' in seats and fees.

They have given Governor P. Sathasivam a memorandum demanding his intervention. But Mr. Ashok maintained to DC that the board has been constituted fully.

Professors at KVASU alleged that Mr Ashok had never nominated members on the board even after four years since the university was established as the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Act, 2010, envisaged.

The protesters say the governor is not aware that the current board is incomplete and instead of the original council meeting being convened, a special managing council meeting was held.

“Whoever is supposed to take a decision on the day-to-day activities of KVASU, he himself is playing spoilsport. The council meeting has to be convened every third month. But it was convened only once for the VC’s convenience to confer D. Litt. The senate meeting was supposed to take place on June 14 which was cancelled and a special senate meeting on July 8 has been scheduled to approve four years of his tenure,” said Dr Sabin George, general secretary of KVUTA.

Agriculture minister K. P. Mohanan has convened a meeting of teachers’ organisations on Tuesday. Mr. Ashok has not been invited to this meeting.

“The constitution of the board is complete. There are further two more vacancies to be filled up where MLAs are supposed to join. For this, elections have to be conducted which is pending before the chancellor,” said Mr Ashok.