After long delay, KTU holds statutory meet

T'puram: The statutory meeting called by Kerala Technological University (KTU) vice-chancellor in-charge K Sivaprasad on Monday ahead of the long-pending university syndicate meeting, decided to recommend the approval of the proposed university budget. The higher education principal secretary and finance secretary attended the meeting, which was necessitated by the direct intervention of the Supreme Court. The officials abstained from a number of meetings, apparently upon the instructions of the state govt. Owing to their absence, the syndicate meetings were adjourned for want of a quorum. The SC directed the govt to make arrangements to hold the syndicate meeting. Following the repeated failure to hold the syndicate meeting, the KTU VC in-charge approached the SC, seeking a reprieve in the matter.On account of the university's failure to hold the syndicate meeting, the salary and pension to the university employees and pensioners could not be distributed for two months. As per KTU rules, the board of governors is supposed to approve the budget passed by the syndicate. The syndicate meeting of Kerala University would also be held on Tuesday after a gap of 60 days.