KANNUR: Kannur University vice-chancellor Dr M.K. Abdul Khader has ordered promotion of a Dalit staff following protests. The VC on Saturday issued the order promoting Sreeja K., an assistant to senior grade, after Friday's reconciliation meeting, realising a mistake in interpreting rules related to promotions. It got delayed and was referred to syndicate for further consideration by the registrar after the section officer concerned wrote a note in the file saying she was not eligible as she was yet to pass the account test (lower).
However, according to the government order, SC/ST staff will get a period of three years to write and pass the exam and their elevation cannot be delayed for not clearing it before promotion. Dr Khader said that the delay in was due to a misunderstanding. “Normally, one has to pass the account test for probation and promotion. The university statute is not mentioning any particular rule to give relaxation to anyone in this regard. However, there is a government order which gives relaxation to this rule to the SC/ST staff. It was not known to the section officer concerned and that led to the confusion,” he told DC.
“When we realised the mistake, we have immediately corrected it, and issued an order accordingly.” Kannur University Employees Union general secretary Vijayan Adukkadan welcomed the decision and alleged that revengeful attitude of some officers against members of other unions aggravated the issue.
