The Vice-Chancellor
A.M.U., Aligarh
Subject: Discussion of the AMUTA Executive Committee with the Vice-Chancellor on 18.01.2012 at 5:00 P.M. over a cup of tea
We have already expressed our satisfaction with the fact that after Prof. P.K. Abdul Azis handed over charge to Prof. S. Mahdi Abbas Rizvi, we did not witness any unpleasant incident in the campus. The initiative taken by the new Vice-Chancellor to invite all stake holders in the University over a cup of tea is also appreciated, as is the visible relaxation in the tense security environment at the VC’s office.
Our discussion started on a pleasant note and after congratulatory references the Vice-Chancellor informed the delegation that Prof. Sibghatullah Farooqui who is the next senior Dean shall be sitting through our discussion as he has been doing in all the meetings held so far. The Vice-Chancellor further told us that he has issued some office orders where the limits of actions/decisions to be taken by him have been set. He read out relevant portions of the same. The members of the delegation pointed out that neither the Act nor any of the Statutes, Ordinances etc. make any reference to “acting/officiating” Vice-Chancellor, therefore, we expect that instead of an unnecessary restriction the V.C. may and should take the action required in particular circumstances. The restraint order dated 21.8.2011 was issued in a particular context and a particular situation as well as specifically for the person named in the order and not for anybody else. Moreover, Statute 3(2) of the Act specifies the duty of the Vice-Chancellor that the Act, Statutes and Ordinances are duly observed and given effect to and he shall have all powers necessary for such observance, the delegation therefore pointed out that actions which are against the basic Act shall need to be revoked by the Vice-Chancellor.
A few of the issues discussed and our point of view as expressed before the Vice-Chancellor are given below:
· Our resolutions ask for the removal of all such persons who are involved in financial/administrative misdemeanors or have made defamatory anti-University statements. E.g. the statement alleging presence of arms in the hostels including girls’ hostels that was proved false after seaches were carried out. The report sent by the VC office to the MHRD regarding sine die closure of April 30, 2011 did not mention the firing at the Proctor’s office but only mentioned the Zakaria Market incident as the cause, whereas we all know that it was the proctor office incident that involved firing from inside the office in the presence of a senior police officer that was the real cause. This matter has been discussed with the DM, SSP, ADM and SP in early May 2011.
· Centres to be wrapped up and dismantled as they are against the AMU Act. Prof Azis admitted as much in his last press conference, where he regretted that he did not have the power to remove the 25 km restriction for any institution set up by the AMU(Section 5(9)(a)). Moreover deliberate lies and falsehood have been communicated to the Visitor regarding the procedure to be followed and that was followed in this case, making the whole process ultra vires. It was pointed out that the AMU Act as amended during 2004, makes it mandatory to place all changes of Act, Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations before the two houses of Parliament before being placed before the Visitor(Section 31(4)&(5)). This has not been done in the instant case, nor has it been published. Reference was also made to the closure of the Centers set up during the tenure of Mr. M Rahman by Mr. Hamid Ansari.
· Enquiry into all events since 2007
(i) Arson at V.C. lodge enquiry was ordered by E.C. but has not started. We need to know who was responsible as all students expelled by the University for involvement in that incident have been found innocent by the Courts. Whereas Prof Azis used the allegations against the students as pretext to shame the University community and the well wishers of the University to give him the unprecedented support that he misused to ram his agenda of destroying the University from within.
(ii) Enquiry into purchase and verification of Security system and cameras, as the equipment ordered wasn’t received and others installed.
(iii) Money received for specific construction work was taken away and used elsewhere, contractors were changed midway leading to cost escalation and wastage of money. Money spent on repair of VC lodge is approximately 130% of fresh construction cost of similar structure. CAG office of Allahabad pointed out in Audit Report that money for air conditioning of VC lodge was untenable as a sum of approximately twenty two lacs was spent. We also pointed out that for this amount about seventy ACs could be bought and the lodge doesn’t have so many rooms.
(iv) Appointments were made willfully by checking loyalties, full time appointments were made at the two centers on temporary posts whereas here only Guest Faculty were appointed against permanent posts.
(v) Admissions have been denied illogically, and enhanced in certain professional courses without authorization.
(vi) Financial matters, grant received from Ministry of Health for Ventilators was diverted to construction of boundary wall at Mallapuram, and has not been returned. Similarly, full posts sanctioned for AMU Campus Aligarh have been unauthorizedly diverted to Mallapuram and Murshidabad.
Our request is that officials involved be identified and disciplinary action including removal be initiated.
· Selection Committee orders have not been issued in some cases and have been held these may be issued. Similarly, salaries have not been paid these may be released.
There is an urgent need to hold Selection Committees including those sanctioned under XI Plan, these may lapse by April, 2012, therefore letter for Visitor’s Nominee be sent.
· Statue 61K benefits may be expedited.
· Merger of EL/DL already available since Fifth Pay Commission be implemented for teachers, it is already available for non teachers
· License fee enhancement has been made in an arbitrary manner and with retrospective effect. This needs to be looked into and rationalized.
· Conference travel grant orders are not being issued, on the grounds of non-availability of funds, even for national conferences. Previously full travel fare for one international conference and two national conferences per year was allowed.
· Retired persons to be continued till end of the session as stipulated in the contract of service signed by all teachers. Additionally Selection Committees are not held on time and there is tuitional loss of the students.
· Files signed recently should be reviewed to remove apprehensions of back dating of orders and their consequential illegality.
· Geology Department Chairmanship should be reviewed as it is in absolute violation of the relevant rules and also affects the current membership of statutory authorities, i.e., the University Court and the Academic Council.
· UGC has recently issued a letter laying down some new privileges for Guest Faculty, this may be given effect to.
· The recent Academic Council meeting discussed the question of treating Employees’ children as internal for purpose of admissions, however, there is some confusion about what was finally decided, this may kindly be clarified.
We trust that as per your assurance of looking into the above issues (some of which were noted down by you) we would be informed of your actions soon, this shall enable us continue to engage in open dialogue and actions to make the University conform to its objects of serving the community.
(S. Mustafa Zaidi)
