Lack of quorum: KTU syndicate meeting adjourned once again

T'puram: The Kerala Technical University syndicate meeting on Saturday, which was supposed to pass the university's budget, was adjourned for want of a quorum.After being adjourned under similar circumstances last Wednesday, the meeting was reconvened to ensure the participation of MLAs, as the assembly is in session. However, MLAs IB Satheesh and Sachin Dev, govt representatives including the higher education secretary, finance secretary and technical education director, abstained from the meeting. Only the vice-chancellor and the university deans attended it.The non-cooperation of syndicate members, both political nominees and govt representatives, is believed to be a planned move by the state govt. Vice-chancellor K Sivaprasad annulled the decisions taken by the syndicate members after the meeting was adjourned. The university's syndicate members have been at loggerheads with Sivaprasad ever since former chancellor Arif Mohammed Khan appointed him as the university's interim VC, obviously against the state govt's wishes.According to university regulations, the board of governors has the authority to pass the budget, subject to the syndicate's approval. A board of governors' meeting is being convened immediately to pass the budget. If it is not approved, the construction activities on the Vilappilsala campus, funded by the university, will be disrupted.In the event that syndicate members continue to boycott meetings, which could disrupt the university's daily operations for the next financial year, it is understood that the vice-chancellor would take steps with the governor's approval to ensure the continuation of university operations.