Panel starts probe into KSOU irregularities

Mysuru: An one-man committee, led by retired high court judge Justice BA Patil, on Wednesday began an inquiry into alleged irregularities at Karnataka State Open University (KSOU).According to university sources, Justice Patil arrived at the campus at 11am and started the inquiry. The probe comes after the KSOU Permanent and Non-teaching Employees' Association staged a protest earlier, demanding action against the university administration for the alleged irregularities.Sources said people who wanted to meet the committee were told they would get a chance later to submit documents and submit their complaints.The committee was appointed by Thawar Chand Gehlot, governor and the chancellor of the university, to examine several allegations. These include hiring temporary teaching and non-teaching staff beyond approved posts, opening regional centres which are not needed, appointing temporary directors for these centres, and creating posts without approval from the state govt and the board of management.Meanwhile, whistleblower H K Jagadish Babu requested the committee to function from Mysuru, instead of Bengaluru. He said this would make it easier for the public to meet the panel, submit documents, and raise complaints, as travelling to Bengaluru is difficult for many of the aggrieved people.