Annamalai University to lose Special Status , Bill introduced

The law that gives Annamalai University unique status with special administrative privileges for the heirs of its founder is to be repealed.

The Minister for Higher Education P. Palaniappan introduced the Annamalai University Bill 2013 in the Assembly today to bring the Annamalai University Act 1928 on a par with laws governing other universities in Tamil Nadu and to repeal the Tamil Nadu Act I of 1929.

The university founded by Raja Sir Annamalai Chettiar in Chidambaram (Tamilnadu State) has been at the centre of a controversy with allegations of misadministration.

The statement of objects and reasons explains in 1928 the Founder had handed over the institutions, assets and Rs 20 lakh to establish and run a residential university at Annamalai Nagar. The University was established under the Annamalai University Act of 1928 (Tamil Nadu Act I of 1929) which recognised Annamalai Chettiar as the Founder with special privileges and rights, which continue to be enjoyed by his heirs.

According to the statement, such powers and privileges have been ‘grossly abused’ and are incompatible with good governance.

In November 2012 the teaching and non-teaching staff association launched a demonstration following fears of retrenchment and pay cut.

Though it has been receiving annual grants from the State government of Tamilnadu, the university is facing unprecedented financial crisis due to excess staffing, transfer of university funds and investment of funds for other purposes and ignoring statutory obligations.

The Government has constituted a Special Local Fund auditing team to assess the irregularities and a high-level committee to analyse the audit report, the Bill said.