Chennai, Apr 6: Tamil Nadu Governor and Annamalai University Chancellor K. Rosaiah Saturday suspended vice chancellor M. Ramanathan with immediate effect for the smooth conduct of investigations into the financial irregularities and maladministration of the institution.
In his order which was circulated to the media, Rosaiah said: "It has become necessary to investigate into the matter in detail, from all angles and in particular with respect to the working of the institution, persons responsible for maladministration, persons responsible for financial irregularities and the role played by you as the vice chancellor/principle executive officer."
According to Rosaiah, the special audit team of the Tamil Nadu government has found financial irregularities, including diversion and misappropriation of funds running into several crore of rupees.
He said the university's senate and the syndicate to whom the audit report was forwarded have admitted: "(1) Diversion of university funds to the hospital (2) Appropriation of Provident Fund and Contributory Pension Fund (3) Non-remittance of pension contribution (4) Lapse in collecting dues (5) Appointments made in excess and (6) Excessive fixation of salary."
The suspension order comes two days after the state government appointed Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Shiv Das Meena as the administrator of the university.
Annamalai University's pro-chancellor is M.A.M.Ramaswamy, the promoter of the Chettinad group that has interests in cement, logistics and healthcare. Ramaswamy is also a politician belonging to the Janata Dal-Secular and a former member of Rajya Sabha from Karnataka.
