Chhapra, Jan. 11: The agenda of a special syndicate meeting called by Jai Prakash (JP) University vice-chancellor R.P. Sharma has raised eyebrows.

One of the subjects on the agenda is the confirmation of the appointment of principals that has come under attack by teachers. The vice-chancellor had appointed 20 principals in September, 2009. These appointments were questioned by some of the contenders for the posts. They had alleged that norms were not adhered to in the appointment of the principals. Some of them appealed in Patna High Court against these appointments and the court after taking cognisance of the matter, issued notices to the vice-chancellor, registrar and the principals concerned.

Vinod Kumar Singh, head of the English department, JP University told The Telegraph that those principals were appointed on probation for two years. Their probation will expire in August 2011. He asked how could their services be confirmed before the expiry of the probation period.

He said there is a confirmation committee in the university, which is a statutory body but the appointment of the principals was never put before this committee for confirmation. After the confirmation committee gives its nod, the matter is sent to the syndicate for approval. But in the case of appointment of those 20 principals, none of these criteria were followed, he added. “Agar principals ki niyuktiyon ko confirm kiya jata hai to yeh gair kanooni hoga, statute ke khilaf hoga” (If the appointments are confirmed, then they would be illegal and against the statutes), he said.

Ravi Prakash Bablu, teaching at Ganga Singh College under JP University, told The Telegraph the issue of appointments of principals is sub judice.

Justice Ajay Kumar Tripathi of Patna High Court has issued notices to the vice-chancellor, principals and other authorities of the university and if those appointments are confirmed, it will amount to contempt of court. He said the actions of the vice-chancellor are not in compliance with the orders of the high court.

Ravi Prakash has been victimised because he questioned the legal aspects of the appointment of principals and had protested before the high court in this matter.

He said even after consecutive orders of the high court, he has been denied salary for the past year and not been allowed to join the college concerned. The high court has even slapped a fine of Rs 10,000 on the vice-chancellor but the vice-chancellor thinks himself to be above the law, he said.