Cancellation of K U appointments.

This has reference to the government order to cancel the appointment of lecturers in Kerala University. The order is to cancel the appointments that were made after the government amended university rules in September 2013 to give the benefits of reservation to all categories. As per this order, 11 lecturers will have to be dismissed. It is the higher education secretary, who has written to KU vice-chancellor, asking him to inform the government after cancelling the appointments.

This action shows how Thuglakian the proceedings of the Higher education Secretary is. The appointments were done as per the rules existed prior to September 2013 amendment of rules. The applications for the posts were invited much before September 2013. The appointed teachers have almost completed nearly one and half year of service. And asking to dismiss them based on an order originated after start of their recruitment process seems ridiculous.

Moreover the Government Secretary could not ask VC to dismiss the teachers. As University is a statutory body, the Secretary can only suggest to reconsider the appointment if it will not stand before a legal analysis. Being the appointing authority, it is the University to take action. Any unauthorized external intervention, even from the government, is out of the ordinary.

Besides, the majority of the appointed teachers joined the University departments after relinquishing their posts of assistant professor in government and affiliated colleges. They could not return to their former institutions once they lose the job in the University. In addition the stupid action of the Higher Education Secretary will invite a series of judicial predicaments.

The whole episode shows some sort of political foul play from some corners, may it be Congress-A and Chamakkala led Congress-I rift. It is intended to tarnish the image of the University. And any action affecting the fate of 18 appointed lecturers would certainly harm the credibility of both the Government and the University. The teachers now working will definitely take up the matter to a court of justice if they are hurt. It is the responsibly of the government to reduce troubles than to create more.

K A Solaman