The Association of KUFOS Teaching Staff (AKTS) has sought Governor Arif Mohammed Khan's intervention to cancel the appointment of K Riji John, alleging that his appointment as Dean (Fisheries) on a full-time basis at the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) is "illegal, unlawful and arbitrary".

In a four-page memorandum to the governor, who is also the chancellor of KUFOS, the AKTS said Riji John was appointed a full-time dean for the faculty of fisheries in total contravention of the KUFOS Act 2010 and KUFOS First Statues 2013. The memorandum against Riji John comes at a time when he is one of the applicants for the post of KUFOS vice-chancellor. It is learnt that about 10 persons have been included in the preliminary shortlist by the selection committee headed by State Planning Board vice-chairman V K Ramachandran.

The AKTS said as per the KUFOS First Statues, the dean of its faculties shall not be a full-time salaried officer of the university and as per Section 27, the dean of faculties shall be for three years. The qualification for the post of dean is a person not below the rank of professor in the faculty concerned having 20 years of experience as a teacher in a recognised university or scientist in a state or national fisheries or ocean research institute of which five years must be in the cadre of professor, director or principal scientist. In addition, the person should also have 20 years of experience in productive research in the fisheries or ocean sciences.

"Against this backdrop, it has been equivocally established that the regular appointment of Dr K Riji John as dean of faculty of fisheries on a full-time basis for a period of five years is contrary to the various provisions of the KUFOS Act 2010 and KUFOS First Statute 2013," the AKTS memorandum said. Riji John could not be contacted for comments. The governor's office, in a communication to AKTS president dated November 23, said the petition was under consideration of his office.