THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Key academic and administrative issues at the University of Kerala have remained at a standstill as the union has not met for several months, alleged left-leaning members of the university’s decision-making body.
They claimed that files related to the needs of hundreds of students remain pending as issues seeking union approval continue to pile up.
Appointments and appointments to various boards of studies and other academic bodies, which must be approved by the union, have also been postponed.
The union’s previous meeting, held in February, ended in disorder after left members refused to register their participation amid a clash with vice-chancellor Dr Mohanan Kunnummal.
The vice-chancellor had postponed the meeting due to the lack of quorum.
“The last proper union meeting was held in December last year. Since then, the vice-chancellor has misused his powers under Section 10(13) of the Kerala University Act, which allows immediate action only in urgent circumstances,” said G Muraleedharan, chairman of the union’s finance committee.
The left union members further alleged that though nominations and appointments to various boards of study and other academic bodies will be made by the union, the VC has bypassed the act and statutes of the University to appoint “favored individuals”.
However, sources close to the vice chancellor rejected the allegation of an administrative deadlock.
