Show cause notice issued to Dravidian University VC
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2023-08-23 01:34 GMT
Tirupati: Department of Higher Education has issued a show cause notice to Prof. Tummala Ramakrishna, vice chancellor of Dravidian University, following irregularities in awarding of M. Phil / Ph. D degrees through the university's distance education centres.
The notice follows a recent gazette notification, which pointed out that both current and former vice chancellors had been implicated in such irregularities. It is stated a substantial number of M. Phil / Ph. D students had been admitted without adhering to the guidelines set by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
The university proceeded with these admissions without possessing the necessary faculty and infrastructure to support the programmes effectively.
In addition, the notification said the university violated UGC regulations, executive council (EC) resolutions, and court orders in the process of granting M. Phil / Ph. D degrees. The notification observed that there is enough prima facie evidence to warrant a deeper investigation into the matter.
To facilitate an inquiry, Dr. Justice B. Seshasayana Reddy had been appointed as the Inquiring Authority.
The inquiring report submitted by Justice Seshasayana Reddy highlights instances of negligence and carelessness exhibited by both Prof. E. Satyanarayana, the former vice chancellor, and Prof. Tummala Ramakrishna, the current vice chancellor. Their roles in approving the notifications for awarding of M. Phil / Ph. D degrees to candidates, despite alleged irregularities, have figured in the report.
The Chancellor of Dravidian University has accepted the findings of the inquiry report and has provisionally decided to remove Prof. Tummala Ramakrishna from his position as vice chancellor. However, the VC has been granted a window of 15 days to present his case regarding these allegations.
Based on the explanation provided by him, an appropriate course of action will be initiated.