KAS officer appointed as Registrar of UoM to clean up its mess
- Notwithstanding the controversies surrounding UoM, the state government has appointed KAS officer D Bharathi as its Registrar
- Higher Education Minister is keen on replacing academicians with administrative officers to the posts of Registrar, Registrar (Evaluation) and Finance Officer
- Incumbent Registrar R Rajanna has been relieved from the post, following allegations of illegalities against him
- Incidentally, Bharathi happens to be UoM's first woman Registrar
FollowFor the first time in the history of the 101-year-old University of Mysore, a woman will occupy the Registrar’s post. The State government on June 5 appointed KAS officer D Bharathi to the post, which is presently being held by R Rajanna.
While it’s ironic that the premiere educational institution has had so few women at its helm in all these years, Bharathi’s appointment comes in the light of the controversies surrounding Rajanna, who has been relieved from the post with immediate effect. Rajanna is under the scanner for allegedly violating norms and appointing 96 non-teaching staff illegally.
D Bharathi
R Rajanna
A history professor, Rajanna was appointed as the Registrar during former vice-chancellor K S Rangappa’s term, in October 2016. It is alleged that the appointments were made without the approval of the varsity Syndicate and the State government. After Rangappa’s exit, acting Vice-Chancellor Dayanand Mane wrote to Governor Vajubhai Vala (Chancellor of the varsity) in April, highlighting the illegalities. This had not gone down well with the non-teaching staff who had staged protests against Mane.
Following Mane’s complaint, Vala ordered an enquiry into the alleged illegalities by appointing Kanubhai Govind Manavi, former V-C from Gujarat; and Marutirao R Nimbalkar, Syndicate member of Rani Chennamma University, to probe the matter.
Ever since the panel was constituted, there were demands that Rajanna be relieved from the post, as the accusations were against him. Interestingly, Rajanna has also been vying for the V-C’s post.
Apprehending further controversies, the Higher Education department has brought in the administrative officer, to not only clean up the existing mess, but also to ensure that there are no further illegalities or irregularities.
As Registrar, Bharathi will get to be a part of the Syndicate meetings. No decision, be it with regard to issuing orders, deputations, reformations or procurement; can be taken without her nod.The Registrar is the immediate subordinate to the V-C -- a second in command. The officer will have the authority to even deny the V-C’s decisions.
Bharathi, who started her career as a headmaster, joined the services in the year 2006. She has served as the assistant commissioner in BBMP, revenue officer in the Mysore City Corporation, assistant commissioner in the Mysuru sub-division, deputy secretary of the Mysuru zilla panchayat, and additional deputy commissioner, Chamarajanagar. For the last three months, she has been serving as the additional commissioner, Mysuru Regional Commissioner's office.
Speaking to Aisanet Newsable, Bharathi said that the appointment has come as a surprise. “It will be an honour to serve in the historical university,” she said, adding that she will report to duty in a day or two.
