Karthick S, TNN | Apr 15, 2013, 05.30 PM IST
CHENNAI: In a bid to take over the crisis-riddenAnnamalai University in Chidambaram in Cuddalore district in northern Tamil Nadu, statehigher education minister P Palaniappan on Monday introduced in the state assembly a Bill to repeal and re-enact an existing law.
The new legislation would in effect give the state powers to run the University, once a renowned centre for education, drawing students from across the country.
The act, when it comes into force, may be called the Annamalai University act, 2013. By introducing the bill, the state government is attempting to take control of the University from pro-chancellor M A M Ramasamy, the heir-apparent of the University founder Rajah Sir Muthaiah Chettiar.
The new act says the minister-in-charge for higher education in Tamil Nadu shall be the pro-chancellor of the University.
Annamalai University in 1941
As per the new bill, all property, including movable and immovable, belonging to the University or held by a trust and their liabilities shall stand transferred to the University under the new act. The bill also paves the way for appointment of vice-chancellor, registrar and all other officials below these two ranks. The state government said, "Though the position of founder appears to be an honorary one, past experience indicates that the powers and privileges conferred on the founder has been grossly abused," the bill added.
Justifying the need for the legislation, the minister said the provisions of the Annamalai University Act, 1928 were not similar to the provisions of other University Acts in the state.
The peculiar feature of the university act, which vests vast powers and privileges on the founder, had led to mal-administration of the University. The composition of authorities of the University also requires changes in order to provide adequate representation for the present day stake holders, said the objectives of the bill.
During November 2012, the Joint action council of the Annamalai University teaching and non-teaching staff association engaged in various kinds of protests. "To safeguard the welfare of the students and to allay the apprehensions of the staff, the government constituted a special local fund auditing team to assess the financial and other irregularities in the University," the bill said
About the university :
| Annamalai Chettiar in 1941 | |
| Born | September 30, 1881 Kanadukathan, Madura district, British India |
|---|---|
| Died | June 15, 1948 (aged 66) Madras, India |
| Residence | Chettinad palace |
| Occupation | businessman |
| Spouse(s) | Rani Lady Seethai Achi |
| Children | M. A. Muthiah Chettiar, M. A. Ramanathan Chettiar, M. A. Chidambaram, L.CT.L.PL.Lakshmi Achi |
| Parents | S.R.MM. Muthiah Chettiar (father) |
| Relatives | Ramaswami Chettiar, Sir M. Ct. Muthiah Chettiar, P. Chidambaram |
Raja Sir Satappa Ramanatha Muttaiya Annamalai Chettiar KCSI (b. September 30, 1881 - d. June 15, 1948), also known as S. Rm. M. Annamalai Chettiar, was an Indian industrialist, banker, educationist and philanthropist, who is largely remembered for his social work and endowments in Tamil Nadu. He is the founder of Annamalai University in Chidambaram.
Annamalai Chettiar was born on September 30, 1881 at Kanadukathan in the Sivaganga estate of the then Madura district in the Madras Presidency of British India.
His father, S.R.M.M. Muthiah Chettiar and brother Ramaswami Chettiar were noted bankers and philanthropists. Ramaswami Chettiar was one of the founder of the Indian Bank of which Annamalai Chettiar later served as a director.
After his schooling, he joined his family business. During the course of his business, he visited some of the countries in Southeast Asia.
He also spent a considerable time in England. On his return home, he became the head of the civic body of Karaikudi, also member of several local organizations and the District Board.
The Annamalai University owes its existence to the wisdom, benefaction and philanthropy of a far-sighted visionary- Dr. Rajah Sir Annamalai Chettiar of Chettinad.
As early as 1920, he founded Sri Minakshi College in Chidambaram, a great pilgrimage centre and also a centre for South Indian traditional culture and learning.
In 1928, the Annamalai University Act was passed and Sri Minakshi College paved the way for the establishment of Annamalai University.
Dr. Rajah Sir Annamalai Chettiar, during his tenure as Pro-chancellor for 19 years, paid great attention to the growth and development of the University and took immense care to appoint able Vice-Chancellors of extraordinary calibre and learned and enlightened staff members who were scholars and scientists of great repute as Professors and Heads of Departments.
The Annamalai University is a unitary, teaching, and residential university. It was founded by the munificence of the farsighted and noble hearted philanthropist and patron of letters the late Hon’ble Dr. Rajah Sir Annamalai Chettiar of Chettinad, Kt, LL.D., D.Litt. He started several colleges, and ultimately, the University in 1929.
Since its inception, it has progressively tried to realize the aims of the noble Founder Pro-Chancellor. After him, his illustrious son, Padma Bhushan Dr. Rajah Sir Muthiah Chettiar of Chettinad, was the Pro-Chancellor from 1948 to 1984, and he sedulously nurtured the growth and development of the University. The present Pro-Chancellor Dr. M.A.M. Ramaswamy, a philanthropist and a patron of sports, is the distinguished son of Dr. Rajah Sir Muthiah Chettiar.
The University has had the unique good fortune of having a succession of eminent Vice-Chancellors to guide its destinies. During the last eighty two years the University has grown rapidly and has consolidated its position as a unitary and residential University with forty-nine Departments of Study and over 3240 members on its teaching staff. Annamalainagar is already a busy and full-fledged University town, east of Chidambaram, the abode of Lord Nataraja. The University campus, including the colleges, hostels, and playgrounds, occupies an area of about thousand acres.
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