Date:10/06/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/06/10/stories/2005061008940300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Anantapur

SKU functionary punished

B. Chandrashekhar

Probe panel finds ex-CDE Director guilty

University takes drastic action for first time in its history
Executive Council of university gave go-ahead signal
Four charges framed of which two were struck down

`Ramprasad Rao's actions caused loss of Rs. 24 lakhs'

ANANTAPUR: For the first time in the annals of the two-decade-old Sri Krishnadevaraya University (SKU) near here, a functionary of the institution has been punished for alleged financial and procedural irregularities.

In the university proceedings on May 24 the Registrar, T. Srinivasulu Reddy, awarded reversion to Ch. Ramprasad Rao of the Management Department "immediately and permanently to the lower rank of Associate Professor."

Mr. Ramprasad Rao was found guilty by a three-member inquiry committee set up by the university in 2003 after four charges were framed against him.

The panel probed the irregularities in the Centre for Distance Education (CDE), which were allegedly committed when Mr. Rao was its Director.

When contacted, the Registrar told The Hindu that it was for the first time in the history of the university that such a drastic action was taken against an employee.