Past haunts new Bharathiar University VC

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Follow us:WhatsappFacebookTwitterTelegram.cls-1{fill:#4d4d4d;}.cls-2{fill:#fff;}Google NewsAs Professor G James Pitchai of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) prepares to take charge as the new Vice Chancellor (VC) of the Bharathiar University in Coimbatore his past troubles have begun to haunt him.Soon after Governor K Rosaiah cleared his appointment as VC on Monday, academics and critics dug into old records to question the righteousness of selecting him for the top job.Senior academicians including the Aided College Teachers Association (ACTA) president A Raja have alleged that James does not have a track record of integrity, a charge dismissed by the latter. Raja alleged that James was arraigned in a 1989 case relating to seizure of gold biscuits and bars by the Customs and Central Excise Department. He was subsequently acquitted.Although details about the case are not available, in a July 1995 case (K P Abdul Majeed Vs Collector of Customs and Central Excise & Others) heard by the Madras HC, there is a solitary reference to the charge that gold biscuits were seized “from the room occupied by one James Pichai at RK Chetty Street, Coimbatore.” “We had submitted these documents to the Governor before the VC was selected,” said Raja.However, James glossed it over saying “the case was filed over 20 years ago on the basis of a private complaint. It has been proved to be false.” Academics also came up with a charge of misappropriation of funds against the new Vice Chancellor.“In January this year, a four-member enquiry committee of the TNAU found James guilty of making false claims towards House Rent Allowance, tour advance, City Compensatory Allowance and examination honorarium to the tune of nearly Rs 1.79 lakh while he was posted as Dean of the Thanthai Roever Institute of Agriculture and Rural Development (TRIARD) in Perambalur,” said a senior professor. Documents show that the enquiry panel had submitted a report saying the amount must be recovered from James since he “is not eligible/not produced any vouchers to the management.” The panel also said that an amount of `5 lakh, which James had claimed to have paid to the chairman and vice president of TRIARD, must be recovered from him as there was no evidence of the payment.Unperturbed by the allegations, James told Express “All these charges have to do with my deputation in a private college. They have nothing to do with my stint in the TNAU or the Government.’’ (With inputs from S Mannar Mannan)first published:September 18, 2012, 09:56 ISTlast updated:September 18, 2012, 09:56 IST
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As Professor G James Pitchai of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) prepares to take charge as the new Vice Chancellor (VC) of the Bharathiar University in Coimbatore his past troubles have begun to haunt him.

Soon after Governor K Rosaiah cleared his appointment as VC on Monday, academics and critics dug into old records to question the righteousness of selecting him for the top job.

Senior academicians including the Aided College Teachers Association (ACTA) president A Raja have alleged that James does not have a track record of integrity, a charge dismissed by the latter. Raja alleged that James was arraigned in a 1989 case relating to seizure of gold biscuits and bars by the Customs and Central Excise Department. He was subsequently acquitted.

Although details about the case are not available, in a July 1995 case (K P Abdul Majeed Vs Collector of Customs and Central Excise & Others) heard by the Madras HC, there is a solitary reference to the charge that gold biscuits were seized “from the room occupied by one James Pichai at RK Chetty Street, Coimbatore.” “We had submitted these documents to the Governor before the VC was selected,” said Raja.

However, James glossed it over saying “the case was filed over 20 years ago on the basis of a private complaint. It has been proved to be false.” Academics also came up with a charge of misappropriation of funds against the new Vice Chancellor.

“In January this year, a four-member enquiry committee of the TNAU found James guilty of making false claims towards House Rent Allowance, tour advance, City Compensatory Allowance and examination honorarium to the tune of nearly Rs 1.79 lakh while he was posted as Dean of the Thanthai Roever Institute of Agriculture and Rural Development (TRIARD) in Perambalur,” said a senior professor. Documents show that the enquiry panel had submitted a report saying the amount must be recovered from James since he “is not eligible/not produced any vouchers to the management.” The panel also said that an amount of `5 lakh, which James had claimed to have paid to the chairman and vice president of TRIARD, must be recovered from him as there was no evidence of the payment.

Unperturbed by the allegations, James told Express “All these charges have to do with my deputation in a private college. They have nothing to do with my stint in the TNAU or the Government.’’ (With inputs from S Mannar Mannan)