NUALS responds to Kerala Government’s queries on the Petition alleging horse-trading for the post of VC

Kerala Government had sought an explanation from the National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS), Cochin regarding a petition submitted by students,parents and alumni alleging horse-trading and political indulgences taking place for the post of Vice-Chancellor at NUALS.

NUALS, through its Registrar, in response to the Petition has submitted an explanation to the Higher Education Department. The explanation mentions that the University has already initiated the steps to constitute a Search Committee to appoint the new Vice-Chancellor in September 2012 and the process is reportedly in progress. The explanation states that apart from this, the University has nothing to do with the appointment of the new Vice-Chancellor.

Further through the Petition, it was also brought to the attention of the Chancellor and Pro Chancellor that the University had failed to appoint a permanent Registrar and the post of Finance Officer was kept vacant since inception. With regard to this, the explanation states that the present Registrar (contract appointee) satisfies all the qualifications for the post as prescribed in the Regulations and term of office has been extended from time to time by the Executive Council after considering his performance. 

Regarding the Statutory post of Finance Officer, the explanation mentions that steps are being taken to appoint a suitable person to the post. The University explanation stated, “Though the University had instituted the post of Finance Officer prescribing the qualifications and other conditions in the NUALS Regulations, the post was created only at the meeting of the Executive Council held on June 30, 2012 in view of the tremendous increase in the financial transactions of the University. “

NUALS through the explanation also made it clear that; the University is not in a position to appoint Registrar and Finance Officer on the scales of pay prevalent in other Universities of the State, due to financial constraints. The University had to meet the entire expenditure including salaries from its own resources and is not receiving any recurring non plan grants from the Government for meeting the expenditure. Details about the financial accounts of NUALS can be read here. 

The petition was submitted to Justice Manjula Chellur, NUALS, Chancellor, who is the Chief Justice of Kerala High Court and the Pro-Chancellor, P K Abdhu Rabb, State Education Minister; regarding the. A copy was also marked to Dr. K. M. Abraham, Principal Secretary, Higher Education Department, Government of Kerala who is also a Member of the Executive Council, NUALS. You can read more about the petition here.