The Anna University Teachers' Association (AUTA) stated on Thursday that contrary to the allegations against Vice-Chancellor M K Surappa, "The truth is that corruption was eradicated during Dr M K Surappa's regime". The body of teachers and academics came out in support of the VC and shared a detailed list of his achievements by writing a letter to Justice P Kalaiyarasan, who is the head of the commission set up by the Tamil Nadu government to investigate allegations of corruption against Surappa.
"Brokers' involvement in the Anna University administration was stopped. Earlier brokers were frequenting both the chambers of the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar," the AUTA statement supporting Surappa said. They also pointed out how under Surappa's regime, HoDs, Centre Directors and other administrative positions are not "sold" and the Deans of constituent colleges and regional campuses are being deputed from the university departments.
The corruption charges against him stemmed initially from the fact that he got into a tiff with the state government, which opposed Surappa's proposal to procure an Institute of Eminence (IoE) tag for the university by approaching the centre for funding. The Tamil Nadu government, in November, ordered a probe against him, alleging claims of corruption and favouritism. This was then followed by politicians and others seeking his resignation while threatening emails were also sent to him.
The AUTA, in its statement, also added that "Politicians are not found in the VC's chamber or are not occupying the university guesthouse as before." Adding to that, the teachers also said that the cash-for-marks culture which prevailed within Anna University had been completely eradicated. Finally, the AUTA has asked the inquiry committee set up to look into allegations against the current VC to "look where corruption really is or was."
While the TN government had ordered a probe against the academic alleging financial irregularities and misuse of power, there were reports on Wednesday about TN Governor Banwarilal Purohit sending a letter to Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami expressing his displeasure over the committee set up to investigate these. Surappa also reportedly met the governor yesterday, said several media reports.
