Vice Chancellor-syndicate tiff drowns Kerala University Rs 5 crore spend

Thiruvananathapuram: The differences of opinion between the syndicate and Vice-Chancellor P.K. Radhakrishnan have resulted in the Kerala University failing to utilise the Rs 5 crore received as prize money of the inaugural chancellor's award. Not even a single paisa of the award announced in 2015 was spent by the university even as Governor P. Sathasivam, chancellor of universities, announced the second award to MG University a few days ago. Mr P.K. Raju, the finance officer of the university, said that the proposal on using the funds was now before the syndicate.

He did not elaborate. The award money was earmarked in the state budget. According to the guidelines, the prize money should be utilised for capital expenditure for any major project by the university. The award, which is the brainchild of the Governor, also carries a citation and a trophy. The winners were selected on the basis of 37 criteria related to performance.