The Bharathiar University Syndicate on Tuesday decided to allow Shree Venkateshwara Arts and Science (Co-education) College, linked to State Environment Minister K.C. Karuppannan, to start functioning with 10 courses.
The decision goes against the University norms that new institutions can start functioning with only five courses. Syndicate sources said that barring Governor-Chancellor nominee P. Kanagasabapathi, none of the members expressed their dissent in writing though they had orally opposed permitting the college to offer 10 courses.
Higher Education Secretary Mangat Ram Sharma had reportedly told the Syndicate members that since the government had issued an order allowing the college to offer 10 courses, he was duty bound to follow the order.
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The sources also said that the Syndicate decided to allow other colleges, old and new, to offer up to 10 courses if they obtained a government order.
A retired professor said this could lead to a politically influential institution getting a government order to offer offering 20 or 30 courses.
The Syndicate deferred its decision on reinstating professor N. Dharmaraj who was suspended on corruption charges. His plea could be considered if he obtained a no-objection certificate from courts or the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti Corruption that deals with his case, the Syndicate said.
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Mr. Dharmaraj was arrested more than a year ago along with the then Vice Chancellor A. Ganapathi.