CHENNAI: The directorate of vigilance and anti-corruption (DVAC) has launched an inquiry into various alleged irregularities in Manonmaniam Sundarnar University and has demanded several key files and registers. The DVAC inquiry comes in the wake of The New Indian Express exposing irregularities in distance education programmes of the university.Sources said a detailed enquiry has been ordered and the DVAC has sought files relating to the construction of buildings, appointments of teaching and non-teaching staff during the tenure of registrar Dr S Manickam.The DVAC has also sought files related to granting of permission for distance education courses in Manonmaniam Sundarnar University during the registrar’s tenure. Sources said DVAC was also looking into the Senate approval list of admission to B.Ed programme, allotment of study centres, recruitment and promotions of teaching and non-teaching staff, besides the register and files relating to fuel bill claims for vehicles and generators.Interestingly, university sources question the inquiry stating that how could the probe be fair when the registrar, against whom the probe was ordered, continues to be in power. “The law secretary who is also the Chairman of Convener’s Committee of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University should not allow Manickam to handle confidential files,” they said. Surprisingly, the inquiry by the DVAC comes in the wake of surprise check by auditors from Comptroller and Auditor General office recently.Meanwhile, there have been moves by university authorities to replace R Ramesh, the acting distance education director, who blew the whistle regarding the irregularities, by filling the post with a new nominee. “The advertisement to fill up the post at this juncture is too fishy and the government should ensure that till the probe is completed Ramesh should not be transferred and given police protection,” university sources added.
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