Reconstitute VC search committee: Ramadoss

Coimbatore: Alleging favouritism in vice-chancellor selection at the Tamil Nadu Agriculture University (TNAU), Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S Ramadoss has sought reconstitution of the VC search committee.

“Even though there are talented candidates among the 55 people, who applied for the VC post, the tentative list of the top 10 candidates seems to have been prepared with a motive to push a particular person, an aid of the ruling party,” Ramadoss said in a statement.

“Of the 10 tentative candidates, the search committee has decided to appoint E Vadivelu as VC and has been working in favour of him,” Ramadoss said, pointing out that the candidate was close to chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and ministers SP Velumani and P Thangamani. “Vadivelu was involved in various scams including misappropriation of funds in the National Agricultural Development scheme. In this regard, he is being investigated by the directorate of vigilance and anti-corruption (DVAC). Professor Kumar and Geethalakshmi, who are in the 10 tentative candidates list, are also facing cases charged by DVAC.”

“Though governor Banwarilal Purohit claims that the recruitments in the state universities are happening in a fair manner, there is no clarity on how the 10 tentative candidates were selected,” he said.