Mysuru: K S Rangappa, former vice chancellor of University of Mysore (UoM) and Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) has not only cheated but also spoilt the career of more than 3.25 lakh students by issuing them the certificates which were not recognised by the Distance Education Council, New Delhi said former MLC G Madhusudana.
Though Rangappa had initially accepted the challenge put forth by former MLC G Madhusudhan to have a debate on various controversial issues pertaining to KSOU and UoM, in the last minute the discussion was cancelled due to an alleged legal complication. But Madhusudhana who was ready for the challenge, a day before coming for open debate had also given a hard copy of 26 questions for which K S Rangappa had to give explanations and wherever necessary, valid documents. “Let Higher Education Minister G T Devegowda take opinion or advice from any of the present or former vice chancellors but not K S Rangappa”, added Madhusudana. The government should also keep away Rangappa from any government related works especially those related to academics, he opined.
On July 3, after waiting for Rangappa for nearly 20 minutes, Madhsudhana who had come along with valid documents for his claims briefed about the 26 questions which are on alleged irregularities committed by Rangappa. “Though I had leaked the questions that I had to ask during open debate, the cheater and fraudster Rangappa didn’t have the courage to answer my questions and hence avoided taking part in discussion. He has cheated more than 3.25 lakh innocent students whose certificates are of no use because of lack of recognition from Distance Education Council. During his term as VC, the KSOU had entered into MoU all over the country and abroad with private firms, trusts and institutions under the guise of Academic Collaborative Institutions (ACIs) in a massive and large scale. The very appointment of these ACIs is contrary to the provisions in the KSOU Act 1992 and statutes. In the Act, KSOU is empowered to establish its own regional centres and study centres and admitting a private partner in the guise of ACI is totally illegal. Justice K Bakthavatsala, the one man fact finding committee appointed by the governor has confirmed that out of total 250 MoUs entered in KSOU, 187 have been executed during Rangappa term. It is astonishing that 130 out of the total 187 MOUs were entered into before January 7, 2012, during Rangappa’s tenure. On the same date, the governor had assented for the KSOU Academic Collaboration Statute 2011. Apart from this, for starting BE/BTech, ME/M Tech, Diploma in Engineering, paramedical and medical courses, he did not approach apex bodies like UGC, AICTE ,Paramedical Board, MCI to enter into MoU with ACIs which is mandatory due to which the fate of 3.25 lakh students is in doldrums.”
In the other questions posed by Madhusudana to Rangappa, he said, “Without getting permission from PU and Secondary boards, he came out with SSLC and PU equivalent certificates called Bridge Course which was equivalent to SSLC and Bridge Course I Year and Bridge Course II Year which are equivalent to I PU and II PU respectively. The course was also extended across the country. He didn’t seek permission or approval of SSLC, PU Education boards or CBSE or any other competent and relevant authority prior to the commencement of these courses. The state DPAR had issued a circular on January 27, 2015 declaring that the 10+2 course offered by KSOU will not be eligible for appointment under compassionate ground or for any higher education.” Among 26 questions, 22 questions were pertaining to KSOU while other 4 other questions were related to UoM.
UoM irregularities
Regarding UoM irregularities, Madhusudana said, “During Rangappa’s tenure, 129 outreach centres were started all over India, by imparting science, commerce and managerial courses in the same style and fashion of KSOU for which he has not sought the recognition of UGC/AICTE. A letter dated December 4, 2015 states that the online and outreach programmes started by UoM are without the approval of UGC. Does Rangappa accept that it is illegal and why did he not refund the money to the 15,000 students admitted through 129 online and outreach centres. Apart from this, he is also involved in illegal appointment of temporary non-teaching staffs to UoM. With the 96 temporary appointments, he has not followed any roaster and appointed 36 persons from one particular community. Just five people have been appointed from General Merit. He is not Rangappa, he is Wrongappa”, added Madhusudana. He also mentioned that he is ready to come anywhere to prove his allegations.
Zero admissions in last three years
KSOU is the only state open university established by the state government that has suffered three years of zero admission years from 2015-16 to 2017-18. Even to its in-house non-technical programmes such as BA, B Com, MA , M Com, MBA, LLM, B Ed, B LI Sc and M L I Sc etc., there are no admissions. This has deprived lakhs of genuine students in the state of opportunities, who are unable to afford conventional education owning to their socio economic and cultural background.
