Arappor Iyakkam, an anti-corruption NGO, recently uncovered significant malpractice within private engineering colleges affiliated with Anna University in Tamil Nadu. Their investigation revealed that around 352 faculty members are simultaneously employed across multiple institutions, with some listed as faculty in up to 11 different colleges. This issue prompted Arappor Iyakkam to file a formal complaint with the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), urging an investigation into these practices.
A thorough investigation by Anna University into the ghost faculty scandal uncovered that 676 teachers were simultaneously employed as full-time faculty across multiple engineering colleges during the 2023-24 academic year. Among these, around 20 individuals were repeat offenders. They held positions at over ten colleges for at least two years. The university has resolved to blacklist these faculty members.
In the previous academic year (2022-23), the number of teachers working at multiple institutions was reported as 686. This new figure was determined after examining a database of 52,500 teachers.
This increase in reported cases is significant, given that the university had previously identified 211 faculty members in duplicate positions. At the same time, Arappor Iyakkam, the organization that exposed the fraud, had detected 353 fake faculty members. University officials attributed the discrepancy to the more detailed investigation that is now completed.
Vice Chancellor R. Velraj highlighted a particularly egregious case where a single faculty member was found on the payroll of 22 colleges, a situation that persisted from the previous year. He emphasized that no leniency will be shown to such individuals, and they will be barred from teaching at any of Anna University’s affiliated colleges. Faculty members will have the opportunity to explain their situation before any action is taken. Additionally, the university plans to publish the names of these faculty members on its official website to alert the 433 affiliated colleges.
The university has also issued show-cause notices to 295 engineering colleges implicated in the scam, requesting their responses by August 5. Over 80 colleges have already replied.
Based on these findings, we present a list of the top 10 colleges with notable issues regarding ghost faculty and prominent political parties’ involvement.
Rank 10
Three colleges are tied for this position. Two are administered by former MLAs and one by current MLAs.
- Shree Venkateshwara Hi-Tech Engineering College in Gobichettipalayam, Erode District: This college is managed by K. C. Karuppannan, a former Environment Minister and AIADMK MLA, who serves as the secretary. Notably, the college has 13 faculty members listed as ghost faculty.
- Indira Institute of Engineering and Technology, Tiruvallur: This college is managed by current DMK MLA V. G. Raajendran. Notably, 13 faculty members are listed as ghost faculty.
- ARM College of Engineering and Technology in Kanchipuram: This college is overseen by Ganesh Kumar, a former PMK MLA who serves as the Vice Chairman. Additionally, 13 faculty members are listed as ghost faculty.
Rank 9
Three colleges are tied for this position.
- Shivani College of Engineering, Trichy: This college is chaired by Dr. P. Selvaraj, who is recognized for his significant role in developing JJ Engineering College, Kurinji Engineering College, and SSC College. Notably, the college has 14 faculty members listed as ghost faculty.
- Renganayagi Varatharaj College of Engineering, Virudhunagar: This college is managed by Keshavan Varatharaj. Notably, the college has 14 faculty members listed as ghost faculty.
- Arulmigu Meenakshi Amman College of Engineering in Thiruvannamalai: This college remains enigmatic, with details about the chairman and other aspects of the college shrouded in mystery and currently unverified. Notably, the college has 14 faculty members listed as ghost faculty.
Rank 8
Satyam College of Engineering and Technology, Kanyakumari: This college is managed by Engineer Dinakaran. The college has 15 faculty members listed as ghost faculty.
Rank 7
Two colleges are tied for this position.
- Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering and Technology, Thiruvallur: This institute is chaired by Sk Purushothaman. The college has 16 faculty members listed as ghost faculty.
- A V S Engineering College, Salem: Chaired by K. Kailasham, the college has 16 faculty members listed as ghost faculty.
Rank 6
Apollo Engineering College in Kancheepuram has 17 faculty members listed as ghost faculty. The college’s ownership and chairman are not disclosed, making the details about the institution obscure.
Rank 5
Surprisingly, Meenakshi College of Engineering in Chennai includes Dr. R. Velraj, Vice Chancellor of Anna University, on its governing council. The college also has 21 faculty members listed as ghost faculty.
Rank 4
Hari Babu chairs Sri Venkateswara College of Technology in Kancheepuram. The college has 23 faculty members listed as ghost faculty.
Rank 3
Sri Muthukumaran Institute of Technology in Kancheepuram is managed by Ms. Gomathi Radhakrishnan. The college has 27 faculty members listed as ghost faculty, and their other institutions hold ranks of 5 and 10.
Rank 2
T.J. Institute of Technology in Chengalpattu, associated with former Congress MP K.V. Thangabalu, has 33 faculty members listed as ghost faculty.
Rank 1
Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan College of Engineering and Technology in Chengalpattu, is owned by Manachanallur DMK MLA S. Kathiravan. It has the highest number of ghost faculty members in Tamil Nadu, with 34 listed.
சினிமா டாப் 10 பார்த்திருப்பீர்கள். இது மோசடி செய்யும் தனியார் பொறியியல் கல்லூரிகளின் டாப் 10 பட்டியல். இவர்கள் மீது எந்த வித நடவடிக்கையும் எடுக்காமல் பாதுகாத்து வருகிறது திமுக அரசு. #Arappor #AnnaUniversity #ProfessorScam @KPonmudiMLA @mkstalin @CMOTamilnadu @Chief_Secy_TN pic.twitter.com/ZMHpsSIbKM
— Arappor Iyakkam (@Arappor) August 29, 2024
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