The State government has found the appointment of the Registrar of Periyar University illegal. S. Gunasekaran took over as Registrar in August 2008. His tenure is for three years.
In a communication (letter No. 14888 dt. March 19,2010) to the Vice-Chancellor, Secretary for Higher Education, K. Ganesan, has asked him to initiate “appropriate action” to repatriate Mr. Gunasekaran to his parent institution (Pachaiyappa's College, Chennai).
The Secretary has pointed out that as per Periyar University Act 1997, “The holder of the of the post of Registrar shall be an academician not lower in rank than that of Professor of a college affiliated to any university.”
As per University Grants Commission norms, following are the qualifications prescribed for appointment as Registrar:
1) He should have a Master's Degree with at least 55 per cent marks; 2) Professor in a University Department\Grade I Principal of a college; or 3) At least 15 years' experience as Lecturer (Sr. Scale)\ Lecturer with eight years in Reader's scale along with experience in educational administration or comparable experience in research establishment and or other institutions in higher education. 4) 15 years of administrative experience of which 8 years must be as Deputy Registrar or equivalent post.
The Secretary's communication goes on to point out that the incumbent had neither worked as a Professor nor Grade I Principal. Besides, there was no evidence regarding his service of 15 years as Lecturer (Senior Scale) with eight years in Reader scale.
Hence, “he has not fulfilled the qualifications mentioned in the advertisement issued by the University for the Registrar post. It is concluded that the appointment is not correct as per law.”
The communication further states that the appointment of Mr. Gunasekaran has been contested in a court of law.
