Prof Sarma, V-C designate of Vedic varsity, yet to take charge

Tirupati: Though the State government has appointed the Vice-Chancellor for the famed Sri Venkateswara Vedic University after a gap of more than a year, the new appointee could not take charge even after one week as the appointment seems to be mired amongst several controversies. 

According to recent orders issued by the Chancellor ESL Narasimhan, Prof Sannidhanam Sudarsana Sarma, who is currently working as Professor of Sahitya at Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth (RSVP), was appointed as the new V-C of Vedic University for a period of three years.

During normal course, whoever is appointed for such coveted posts will take charge immediately. But, Prof Sarma could not do so as his relieving orders were reportedly entangled in some technical issues. It was learnt that the management of RSVP has been citing several technical reasons for not relieving the Professor. 

It may be noted that Prof Sarma was the founder V-C of Vedic University and was given extension for another term of three years. Thus, he has completed six years deputation/lien to another institution. Under the Central government norms, any government servant can be permitted to go on deputation for a maximum period of seven years only which applies to RSVP too as its governed by the Central government regulations whereas Vedic varsity is a state government university. Accordingly, Prof Sarma is left with one year only to avail such a facility whereas he was appointed as V-C for a term of three years. 

Another issue was that he was left with 22 months of service only before superannuation and he needs to work at least on the last working day of his service which he cannot do as he will be at some other institution. It seems, the RSVP authorities were maintaining that they could not relieve him for three years when he has only 22 months service. 

With such limitations, Prof Sarma was left with the option of resigning from the service at RSVP and join in the new post for which he was not willing but waiting for relieving orders only. When contacted, he only said that he asked the administration of RSVP to relieve him for one-and-a-half year only and submitted all no dues certificates. 

However, the in-charge Registrar of RSVP Prof GSR Krishna Murthy told The Hans India that only technical reasons were behind the delay in issuing the relieving orders which they have been clearing one after another. He said that the government order was not marked for the V-C of RSVP. 

However, they got a letter from the TTD, who runs the Vedic University. The major issues were his remaining period of service and who has to pay his share towards the contributory pension scheme and seeking clarifications form the concerned in these aspects. In any case, Prof Sarma will be relieved by Monday night, he maintained.