Audit flags irregularities in 19 Kerala Sanskrit University appointments

Thiruvananthapuram: Alleged irregularities in 19 faculty appointments at the Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit in Kalady have prompted the Save University Campaign Committee to approach Kerala Governor and Chancellor of state universities, seeking an inquiry and action against those responsible.

The decision, taken by the committee led by R.S. Sasikumar, follows findings by the State Finance Audit Department that the appointments made in 2021 lacked government approval. The audit also identified alleged violations of reservation norms and unauthorised transfers of sanctioned vacancies between departments.

The committee has demanded that the Chancellor examine the audit report, order a comprehensive investigation and cancel appointments found to be illegal.

Among those under scrutiny is the appointment of Ninitha Kanicheri, wife of former state minister M.B. Rajesh, as an Assistant Professor in the Malayalam Department. Her selection had triggered controversy in 2021 over allegations that the rank list prepared by subject experts was altered to favour her. The then Vice-Chancellor rejected the allegations, while Rajesh denied interfering in the recruitment process.

The audit reportedly also questioned the former Vice-Chancellor's decision to shift vacancies between departments without the required Syndicate approval.

The findings have renewed concerns over recruitment procedures and financial liabilities arising from the appointments, adding to the ongoing controversy over alleged irregularities in Kerala's public recruitment system.

With IANS inputs