This document summarizes corruption in higher education appointments in the state of Tamil Nadu. It outlines that: 1) The governor of Tamil Nadu recently acknowledged the open secret of bribery in appointing vice-chancellors of state universities. 2) Corruption is widespread, with bribes ranging from 5-50 crore rupees being paid by VC aspirants to ministers and the governor's agents to be selected. 3) This corruption has filtered down and burdened universities with incompetent faculty appointed through bribes, undermining the education system.

1. EDUCATION
20 Industrial economist NOVEMBER 2018
Recently, Governor Bunwarilal Purohit, chancellor of state universities in Tamil
Nadu, anguished over the practice of bribery in appointing vice-chancellors.
The malpractice is an open secret, but acknowledgment by the Chancellor
came as a surprise. A look at the anatomy of corruption in Higher Education.
Vice in appointment of
vice-chancellors
Corruption
Dr M Anandakrishnan
In India, the government-funded universities
consist of Central universities, some deemed
universities and several state universities. In all,
there are 47 Central universities and 391 state
universities of which one Central university
and 22 state universities are in Tamil Nadu. Of
the 123 deemed universities 38 receive govern-
ment funds. So far there has been no indication
of corruption in the appointment of VCs in the
government-funded Central and deemed uni-
versities. Among the state universities, there
have been widespread malpractices only in two
states, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Roots of Corruption
In Tamil Nadu, the roots can be traced to the pro-
pensity for corruption among the politicians in
power. Unfortunately, in appointing VCs, there
have been Governors and their minions who
were willing participants in dividing the loot.
Though instances of the Chancellor-Governor
indulging n such collections through intermedi-
aries was widely known, nothing could be done.
Until recently pliable persons were chosen as
chairmen of search committees. In many cases,
persons paid bribes to be included in the search
committees. When the panel of three names is fi-
nalised, there would be negotiations from the
minister’s office as well as the
Chancellor’s agent about the
amount to be paid for selection.
The figure ranged from Rs 5
crore for smaller universities
to Rs 50 crore for Anna Uni-
versity.
VC aspirants accept the
bids with confidence that
the amount could be re-
covered from the affiliated
colleges and from the vari-
ous appointments and
promotions in the university. It is not difficult to
see the ripple effect of such a practice profound-
ly spreading to every level of the academia.
Many universities are now burdened with in-
competent faculty who were appointed through
payment of bribes. They, in turn, collect money
through questionable practices.
On 30 July 2012 a memorandum was sub-
mitted to the then Governor Rosaiah signed by
a large number of educationists and citizens,
stating that in the absence of transparency in
the process and criteria followed in the appoint-
ment of vice chancellors, there is justifiable
doubt whether the fittest persons have been
appointed as VCs. They anguished that the ap-
pointments appear to be by political affiliations
and that posts were openly auctioned and given
to the highest bidder.
The petition listed 13 specific instances of
corrupt practices relating major universities of
Tamil Nadu as well as the involvement of the
son of the then Governor S.S. Barnala in many
scandals. Unfortunately, nothing came out of it.
Beyond the Chancellor
There are other avenues of institutional corrup-
tion outside the purview of the Chancellor. For
instance, the state education ministers delay
the sanction of faculty positions in aided col-
leges against existing vacancies till the college
managements pay up the amount based on the
number of jobs. The logic is the management
should collect the amount from the selected
teachers. The teacher, in turn, would engage in
all forms of illegal practices to recoup the sum
from the students and others. This is one reason
for many competent persons not choosing to ap-
ply to some of the aided colleges.
Likewise, stories about demands made on
Ph D scholars by research guides sound like fic-
tion but, unfortunately, are too widespread to
Fast-track
courts
could be
established
to deal
with
educational
corruption

2. Industrial economist NOVEMBER 2018 21
EDUCATION
be ignored. Besides demanding sexual favours,
thesis supervisors and examiners extract size-
able sums from the helpless students before
final approval.
Another cause for concern is the corruption
in granting approval for new institutions. Many
worthless institutions had obtained the status
of deemed universities through bribing. So is
the case with many technical institutions.
Fast track courts for education
corruption
It is not easy to deal with this problem unless
the political interference in university appoint-
ments is eliminated. There is no assurance that
persons like Bunwarilal will be chancellors of
the future. It is imperative that the chancellor’s
nominees on the search committees must be
persons of high academic calibre and exemplary
personal qualities.
Tamil Nadu needs an ombudsman specifi-
cally for issues relating to higher education
institutions. All allegations of corruptions,
whether against individuals or politicians and
even the chancellor, should be seriously inves-
tigated and exemplary punishment should be
given. Perhaps fast-track courts could be estab-
lished to deal with educational corruption. n
Besides
demanding
sexual
favours, thesis
supervisors
and examiners
extract
sizeable
sums from
the helpless
Ph.D. students
before final
approval.
Befitting the tall stature of DMK Supremo M Karu-
nanidhi the party organized month-long programmes
at different parts of the state. As mentioned by us in our
tribute through the cover feature in IE September issue,
MK was multifaceted and his various attributes deserve
to be narrated and praised. The Tamil society has to learn
a lot from MK’s different contri-
butions.
However, one also came
across superlatives that sound-
ed bizarre in the addresses
of some of the journa- lists at
a meet organized in Tiruchi.
The DMK, when in power, was
harsh and ruthless in proceed-
ing against critical comments.
Look at the meeting or-
ganized by Jagathrakshakan
(JR), who promoted Azhwargal
Aaivu Maiyam (Alwar Re-
search Centre). He persuaded
MK to write the dialogues for the television serial Sri
Ramanujar. MK fielded him to contest for the Lok Sabha
in 2009 and made him a minister in the Union cabinet.
Along with M K Alagiri, the two adorned the Lok Sabha as
ministers even in their first tenures as MPs. Of course, one
didn’t hear much about JR’s contribution as Minister of
State for I&B except that he was also part of a large number
of politicians who were involved in the grab of coal mine
allocations.
Jagathrakshakan fielded a few renowned exponents
of Hindu thought including Suki Sivam known for his
oratorical skills. Sivam assured MK a place in Vaikuntam
quoting Vaishnavaites’ belief that only saints get Ekadasi
maranam, Dwadasi dahanam (death on 11th day and
cremation on the 12th day after the new moon). The in-
veterate atheist like MK could not have deserved more. It
shouldn’t matter there was no dahanam (cremation); MK
was buried.
The Southern India Chamber of Commerce and In-
dustry (SICCI) fielded over a dozen business leaders, the
who’s who of business in Tamil Nadu. With M K Stalin,
Kanimozhi, other family members and senior DMK lead-
ers present, there is the logic in businessmen spreading
their bets. So no surprise on the praise showered on Stalin
with the possibility of his donning the mantle of chief
minister. Look at the sample of eulogies:
B K Krishnaraj from Coimbatore who liberally ex-
ceeded the time allotted by
a factor of three, suggested
holding monthly meetings
to provide enough time for
such praises; setting up a
university/business school
to research on Kalaignar’s
business postulates and
raised the voice for de-
manding a Bharat Ratna for
Kalaignar. Already such de-
mands for Bharat Ratna have
been made by AIADMK for
C N Annadurai and J Jayala-
lithaa. Krishnaraj should
check with Andhra leaders across the border: they com-
plain bitterly of the large numbers from Tamil Nadu
liberally awarded the Bharat Ratna contrasted with none
from AP!
A few business leaders believed in forgetting and for-
giving. A C Muthiah led these. Remember, MK soon after
returning to power in 1989 sacking M A Chidambaram as
the chairman of SPIC, replacing him with Chief Secretary
M M Rajendran? Or PG Periasamy receiving a similar
treatment when the largesse handed to him by MGR for
constructing his hotel project in My Lady’s Garden spread
over 170 acres was taken back? Or Amalgamations’ A
Krishnamoorthy graciously referring to MK brokering
peace for the industrial relations- torn Sembium works?
To recall: in 1971, labour leaders of the DMK, keen to cap-
ture the trade unions of the flourishing Simpson group,
causing death and destruction and closure of works for
months and the shifting of manufacturing plants outside
Huzur Gardens?
It was in tune with the tradition and custom: speak no
ill of the deceased. Amen!
Speak no ill of the deceased...