Members of the Thiruvalluvar University Coordination Council (TUCC) staged a protest near the Collector’s office on Monday demanding appointments to key posts in the university be streamlined and withdraw “unauthorised” hike in fees such as for practical exams.
Nearly 70 members of the council — a conglomeration of members of the Association of University Teachers and Tamil Nadu Government College Teachers’ Association — took part in the protest. “One person holds the posts of Registrar of University, Controller of Examinations and Finance Secretary. The government should follow proper appointment procedures for key posts in the university,” said P. Santhi, chairperson of the council.
Alleging that there were several malpractices in the university, she said, “Fees such as for practical examinations have been increased without the approval from the Syndicate. The fee for practical exams was earlier increased from Rs. 90 to Rs. 225. Recently, this was hiked to Rs. 450 without due approval. The fee for computer practical exam has been increased from Rs. 300 to Rs. 600,” she said.
Similarly, application fee for guides had been fixed without approval from the Syndicate, she said, adding that till now, students only needed to fill a form and submit it for guides.
“Now, a fee of Rs. 2,000 has been fixed, again without approval. Students of government colleges are finding it difficult pay such an amount,” she said.
She pointed out that the council members had already raised these issues with the Vice-Chancellor last year-end but to no avail. “The university has not issued degree certificates to several government and government-aided colleges. “For instance, the university has not issued degree certificates to Thiru Kolanjiappar Government Arts College in Vriddhachalam for the last five years,” she said.
Probe sought
The members had staged protests in respective colleges earlier, and also sent letters to the Education Secretary, Minister and Governor. “An inquiry commission should be set up to look into the malpractices at the university,” she added.
