Raids reveal irregularities in APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University

Thiruvananthapuram: The raids conducted by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau at the A.P. J. Abdul Kalam Technological University this week have brought under the scanner the affiliation process of the university. The raids were conducted following complaints that the colleges that did not have adequate infrastructure were given affiliations. As per an earlier decision, two members of the executive council who were not officers of the university or government secretaries should be included in the appeal committee.

It was alleged that the university had failed to implement this decision which was taken by the executive committee meeting of May 15 that decided on affiliation. It was complained that when the minutes of the meeting were presented in the subsequent council, this decision was missing from it.

The officials of the university had allegedly helped the colleges with lack of basic facilities to get affiliation by manipulating records. Many students, teachers unions and other individuals had submitted complaints about the affiliation. Sources said that even two executive committee members of the university had complained about the members being kept in the dark about the affiliation.The reports of the scrutiny-cum-appeal committee were presented at the executive committee.

But one or two sentences about affiliation were included in the agenda. The executive committee had to approve the agenda as the report was submitted just before the last date for deciding on affiliation. Sources said that such complaints received at the office of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan were forwarded to the Vigilance.