Notices served on Sanskrit scholars raise heckles
Academic fraternity expresses anger for not contemplating the physique of labor of consultants
A transfer to recuperate “dues” from two aged Sanskrit scholars of worldwide reputation has drawn ire from the educational fraternity. Many have expressed anger for not contemplating their physique of labor earlier than notices had been served by officers of the Registrar of Societies.
Ninety-eight-year-old K.S. Varadacharya, a famend scholar of Vedanta, Pracheena Nyaya, and Naveena Nyaya, and octogenarian H.V. Nagaraja Rao, an authority in Sanskrit grammar, Yoga Sutras, and poetics, are among the many 11 scholars, earlier related to the Academy of Sanskrit Research at Melkote, to have obtained notices to recuperate the honorarium that was drawn throughout their tenure with the academy. Sources mentioned that 5 of 11 individuals are already lifeless.
The discover, a replica which is with The Puucho, has been served from the workplace of the Mandya District Registrar of Societies, looking for dues of ₹5.16 lakh from Mr. Varadacharya, who was the challenge chief, and ₹55,654 from Mr. Rao, who was an editor on the academy. Both are recipients of the President’s award for his or her tutorial contribution. Another senior scholar, A. Varadachar, has obtained discover for restoration of ₹2.82 lakh.
The 11 individuals labored within the academy between 1996 and 2004 once they obtained honorarium within the vary of ₹5,000 to ₹8,000 for analysis work. They labored in initiatives that had been Centrally sponsored within the fifth and sixth five-year plans. In all, the overall restoration from these academicians will quantity to ₹13.97 lakh.
The District Registrar in his report has mentioned that it was unlawful for retired authorities workers from being re-appointed on contract foundation to establishments linked to the federal government. While two earlier notices served in March 2009 and March 2013 had been stayed by the High Court, the newest discover comes following the ultimate order of the courtroom. It allowed the District Registrar to subject discover earlier than taking hostile motion in opposition to the petitioner beneath Section 26 of the Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1960.
Mr. Varadacharya and Mr. Rao have retired as senior researchers from the Oriental Research Institute in Mysuru.
Now college students of Mr. Varadacharya have shot off a letter to the Vice-Chancellor of Karnataka Samskrit University that administers the academy, which was earlier registered beneath the Societies Act. They have described the notices as “great injustice and deep insult to these scholars” disregarding their physique of labor.
During his tenure, the nonagenarian scholar translated Sribhashya into Kannada and introduced out Vishisthadvaitha Kosha, a 10-volume encyclopedia. “The academy is earning from the sale of these books,” the scholars identified. In his time on the academy, Mr. Rao contributed within the improvement of Sanskrit software program, giving outputs from the Mahabhashya of Patanjali.
“The appointments were made with the permission of the managing committee that comprised four serving IAS officers. These were men of eminence, and we wanted to do serious research,” rued Prof. Lakshmi Tatachar, former director of the academy, in opposition to whom additionally a restoration discover for dues of ₹45.2 lakh has been served. “These appointments were made when youngsters were either not interested or skilled for research. There were financial constraints to give a huge salary. When you are involved in research, raw talent alone will not bring results. Of about 40 persons working, about 15 retired persons were hired on contract,” he mentioned.
University Vice-Chancellor K.E. Devanathan acknowledged the event. “This is sheer ignorance and we did not know the notice was being issued. I will take up the issue with the government authorities to treat these cases sympathetically,” he mentioned.