Hiring and firing seem to be the order of the day at Dairatul Maarif, the institute for preservation of Arabic manuscripts, in Osmania University. And all this without the knowledge of the government. Over the years, a number of persons were appointed and then terminated at the whims and fancies of the directors. The University has belatedly woken up to the irregularities and ordered an enquiry.
A three-member committee looking into the matters is stated to have come across many financial and administrative lapses. The committee comprising professors Nakula Reddy, S.A. Shukoor and Shankariah is expected to submit its report on Tuesday.
A former director of Dairatul Maarif had appointed 10 persons as class IV employees in 2008 on a consolidated pay of Rs. 4,500 per month. Interestingly, the ad hoc recruitment had no approval of either the Vice-Chancellor or the government. None of the procedures such as notification of vacancies, constitution of selection committee and interviews was followed.
However, last year, the services of these persons were terminated on the ground of ‘financial crisis' by another director. But after some days, he took in two other persons on a higher salary. One of the terminated employees went to the court and obtained a stay, it is said.
Earlier in 2001, five Arabic scholars were appointed without the prior approval of the government and they are still continuing.
Recently, the government issued orders terminating the services of two employees who were appointed after they retired as Deputy Registrar and Assistant Registrar of OU.
Not just this, Dairatul Maarif appears to have done precious little by way of its activities during the last few years. Its primary job is to collect, preserve and publish rare classic Arabic manuscripts and works connected with Islamic learning. But the institute brought out no new publications, it is said.
During 2009-10, it spent just Rs. 6 lakh on its activities, in 2010-11 it was Rs. 20 lakh and during 2011-12 the amount spent was nil.
There is said to be tremendous pressure on the authorities to regularise the services of the terminated employees in view of the enhanced budget to Dairatul Maarif this year.
