'People in Raj Bhavan, KSOU Are Working Against Me'

Indian Express: Bengaluru: Monday, 16 November 2015.

The current vice-Chancellor of the University of Mysore and former vice-chancellor of Karnataka State Open University Mysore (KSOU), Prof K S Rangappa, who is facing allegations of irregularities during his tenure at KSOU, has blamed some ‘vested interests’ for the controversies. Excerpts from an interview:

There are many allegations of irregularities against you during your tenure as vice-chancellor of KSOU...

Everyone says there are irregularities. But where are the documents? Does anyone have documents to prove their allegations? There are a few people who have some personal issues with me and are unnecessarily making these allegations.

The inquiry committee appointed by the Chancellor has submitted its report and recommended action against you.

The fact-finding committee’s report does not mention anywhere that action must be taken against me. Based on the committee’s report, the Chancellor had highlighted some of the charges and we are giving necessary documents regarding the issues within a month. The same was decided during the Board of Management (BoM) meeting too and also that an audit would be done to look into the alleged financial irregularities. The chancellor directed us to go for auditing within three months.

If in case a criminal case is to be filed, it should be against the BoM and not against me, because I have not taken any suo motu decision. I have just implemented whatever was decided during the BoM meeting.

This is not the first inquiry against you. There was an inquiry by CID also. Why did you not challenge it?

Many people advised me to get a stay against the recent inquiry ordered by Chancellor. But I never bothered, because I am not scared as I am true to myself and have maintained all records and documents for whatever I have done as V-C.

When I was V-C of KSOU, I issued thousands of RTI documents. Even the two inquiries in the past have given me clean chits. I was mentally prepared for the inquiry as I have all the records.

The funny thing is that just to target me, they conducted an inquiry and added the names of present and former V-Cs too.

In the notice issued to the KSOU, the Chancellor highlighted eight charges. Were some of the alleged wrong-doings during your term?

The fact-finding committee had submitted a 700-page report and mentioned seven charges. There are people in Raj Bhavan working against me and trying to harass me. Even after the Chancellor constituted the Justice Bhaktavatsala committee, a few people tried to revoke the case with CID.

Not just at Raj Bhavan, there are people working against me at KSOU. During the inquiry, the staff concerned at KSOU have not submitted related and necessary documents. I am very much aware of what is happening behind my back.

The charges clearly points to you. For eg: increasing salaries of regional directors and release of mobilisation amount of `1 crore to a private firm for exam work.

I have written in a file that mobilisation amount can be released to the company and that the company was hired through tender process. The amount was released by my successor. The salaries of regional directors was approved by BoM and I have implemented the BOM resolution. The regularisation of 28 teachers was as per the court order.

I have not done anything without exericising proper powers. I have done things as per the Act and statute. I took advise from a solicitor general in New Delhi for everything I did, as per the statute.

A major allegation against you is you have taken decisions at the fag end of your tenure?

Yes, I have taken decisions at the fag end of my tenure. But where does it say I should not? Like a governor is the governor till his last day, a vice-chancellor is the vice-chancellor till his last hour. Anybody can challenge this in any court.

Has the Chancellor ever called and questioned you after the allegations surfaced?

No, never. I have met the new Governor many times. In fact, he appreciated me saying, “You are doing a better job. Continue doing good work.”

Even the previous Governor H R Bhardwaj had appreciated me. He was first person who conducted an inquiry against me. But after realising how things stand and receiving inquiry reports, he advised me not to worry about such allegations.

Who is conspiring against you?

Oh, that conspiracy is going on since when A Ramdas (BJP) was minister. In fact, it all started with him. He wanted me to run the university as per his directions, but I refused. He raked up all these false allegations. This was continued by G Madhusudhan. I am not a V-C who will allow personal whims to reign at the cost of the university.

People who are making allegations against you are not outsiders, they are BoM members of KSOU.

None of the BoM members have issues. Only one person, G Madhusudhan, who was nominated by the Speaker, is making all these allegations. I have written to the Speaker seeking permission to file a defamation suit against him.