Trichy: Students seeking urgent 'tatkal' degree certificates at Bharathidasan University are caught in the crossfire of an administrative tussle over the authority to sign and issue their certificates.
The issue has persisted since the previous vice-chancellor committee convenor, who was also the director of collegiate education, was transferred by the government on May 29. Universities functioning without a vice-chancellor are currently administered by a VC committee headed by a convenor, typically an IAS officer. To process important files, including those related to the issuance of degree certificates, the signature of the VC committee convenor is required.
However, students applying for tatkal degree certificates and other documents for urgent job opportunities, higher education admissions, or visa processing are unable to obtain them. These certificates can usually be availed on the same day by paying the prescribed fee. “Almost five students have been walking in every day and returning empty-handed,” said a university source.
Controller of examinations (in-charge) B Jeyapragash, while acknowledging there had been a delay, claimed that certificates were being issued in the last two days. On June 15, registrar (FAC) R Kalidasan issued a communication stating that P Ponniah had been nominated as VC committee convenor, replacing the earlier convenor, who was director of collegiate education. The nomination was made through a syndicate resolution that was sent in circulation.
Just as the issue appeared to have been resolved, VC committee member Rajesh Kannan sent a letter to the university administration and higher education officials on June 17, stating that the nomination was invalid. He directed the university to 'ignore' the registrar's communication, claiming it would attract legal issues. He said BDU office files need not be sent to the directorate of collegiate education for any purpose until a fresh nomination is made by the syndicate in an appropriate manner. Since then, university officials have been left in the dark about how to proceed.
When contacted by TOI, Ponniah said, “This is an internal matter, and it should not have been leaked to the media.”
“Ideally, as the only VC committee member, he should have been the one to send it (resolution) in circulation, or it should have been with his approval. Or, the earlier convenor, who was also the director of collegiate education before demitting office, should have nominated her successor as the convenor,” said K Pandyan, former AUT president.
