Kerala CM rejects corruption claims at Digital University, defends transparency
Satheesan, in a letter sent to the Chief Minister on July 12, had called for a vigilance probe into what he described as financial fraud, misuse of power, and illegal project handling at the prestigious university.
The leader of Congress-led UDF also alleged that shell companies formed by faculty members were being used to divert university projects and funds.
The Digital University operates under the state's IT department, with the Chief Minister himself serving as its Pro-Chancellor — a fact Satheesan highlighted while calling for accountability.
He also claimed that the lack of auditing since the university's inception had opened the door to corruption.
Responding in writing, Vijayan dismissed the allegations, stating that a statutory audit has been completed up to the 2023–24 financial year and that the university has formally requested the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to carry out further audits.
The next steps are now pending with the CAG, he said.
Refuting claims that advance payments were made illegally to the I-GEIC organisation, the CM called the accusation 'baseless." He questioned the logic behind labelling it a 'fraudulent organisation" and pointed out that the company's board includes respected names such as Madhavan Nambiar, a former Civil Aviation Secretary to the Government of India, and others with links to Tata Steel and leading academic institutions.
Vijayan defended the university's practice of encouraging faculty-led innovation and entrepreneurship, stating that its regulations allow faculty members to form non-profit entities for research and development.
He added that such project-based activities are also a means of securing salaries and operational funds, as part of a modern, self-sustaining university model.
The CM concluded by suggesting that portraying these approved projects as corruption was a deliberate attempt to discredit the university and mislead the public. PTI TGB TGB ROH
view comments
First Published:
July 21, 2025, 13:30 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
37 minutes ago
- News18
Farmers body KMM opposes Punjabs land-pooling policy
Agency: PTI Last Updated: Chandigarh, Jul 23 (PTI) Farmers' body Kisan Mazdoor Morcha on Wednesday opposed the Punjab government's land-pooling policy, alleging that the Bhagwant Mann dispensation wanted to 'plunder" farmers' fertile land at the behest of corporates under the garb of this scheme. Rejecting the policy in a meeting held here, KMM said farmers will hand over memorandums at district headquarters on July 28, seeking its withdrawal. KMM coordinator Sarwan Singh Pandher said it will also hold a rally 'Zameen Bachao Pind Bachao Punjab Bachao' against the land-pooling policy on August 20 in Jalandhar. Speaking to reporters here, Pandher said that on August 11, a motorcycle march will be taken out to protest against the policy. Pandher said farmers do not want to part with their land and alleged that the state government wanted to 'plunder" farmers' fertile land on the pretext of setting up urban development at the behest of real estate companies. He further said that many village panchayats in the state are passing resolutions against the policy. Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), which is a conglomerate of more than 30 farmer bodies, has already opposed the land-pooling policy and demanded its withdrawal. The AAP government has been facing flak from the opposition parties, which dubbed the policy a 'looting" scheme to 'rob" farmers of their land. The Punjab Cabinet last month gave its nod to the land-pooling policy, and had then asserted that not even a single yard will be forcibly acquired from land owners. Under the land pooling policy, a land owner will be given a 1,000 square yards of residential plot and a 200 square yards of commercial plot in fully developed land in lieu of one acre of land, the state government had said earlier. PTI CHS MNK MNK view comments First Published: July 23, 2025, 21:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
37 minutes ago
- News18
Publications, TV channels increased in past decade: Union minister Murugan
Agency: New Delhi, Jul 23 (PTI) The number of publications registered with the Press Registrar General of India has increased from 1.05 lakh in 2014-15 to 1.55 lakh in 2024-25, Union Minister L Murugan said on Wednesday. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Murugan said India has a vibrant press and media ecosystem, which has witnessed growth in recent years. He said the number of private satellite TV Channels have also increased from 821 in 2014-15 to 908 in 2024-25. 'As of today, 92 private channels and 50 Doordarshan Channels are available on DD Free Dish. Both private and DD channels operate in various regional languages, ensuring wider audience reach across the country," Murugan said. In reply to a separate question, Murugan said the government has undertaken measures for the modernisation and expansion of Akashvani and Doordarshan Kendras (DDK) across all the states. The Kendras are being upgraded under the Central Sector Scheme, Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND). This includes major upgrades throughout the country, including Bihar, to strengthen public broadcasting, he said. 'The scheme has been approved with a total outlay of Rs 2,539.61 crore for the period 2021-26," the minister said. PTI SKU NB First Published: July 23, 2025, 21:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
India steps up global push for rare earth security amid China curbs
With China enforcing stringent controls on rare earth magnet exports, India has intensified its global outreach to safeguard the critical mineral supply chains, the government told Parliament on Wednesday. The government has initiated bilateral talks with Brazil and the Dominican Republic, and has also deepened engagement with multilateral platforms to build cooperation around rare earth elements and critical mineral security, Jitendra Singh, minister of state (independent charge) for science and technology, and the department of atomic energy, said. Apart from other portfolios, Singh also holds charge of the ministry of earth sciences. The union ministry of mines is engaged in these inter-governmental talks to sign memorandums of understanding, while the ministry of external affairs has tapped into relevant stakeholders to alleviate challenges arising from China's stranglehold over rare earth magnets, the minister's statement said. Rare earth magnets, essential to sectors like defence, electronics, clean mobility and renewable energy, have become a focal point of global strategic competition, with China holding a dominant position in their processing and trade. India has exported 18 tonnes of rare earth minerals over the last decade, the minister's written reply to Parliament said. It said India has approximately 7.23 million tonnes of rare earth oxides, which are processed to make magnets used in key strategic sectors such as defence, electronics, renewable energy, and clean mobility. "Additionally, Geological Survey of India (GSI) has augmented 482.6 Mt resources of REE (rare earth elements) ore at various cut-off grades in 34 exploration projects," the government said. It said the mines ministry has initiated talks with mineral-rich nations such as Australia, Argentina, Zambia, Peru, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Cote D'Ivoire as well as international organizations, such as the International Energy Agency (IEA). The ministry is also engaging with platforms such as the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), and the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET). India's engagement with multilateral platforms is largely dependent on the US. The MSP is a US-led alliance of 14 countries, including India, and was set up in 2022 to secure critical mineral supply chains by reducing dependence on any one particular country. The IPEF is a similar US-led alliance of 14 countries, focusing on collaborative policies on trade, supply chains, clean energy, and decarbonisation. The iCET is a bilateral agreement between India and the US for collaboration in technology, including artificial intelligence and semiconductors. "Critical minerals such as lithium, graphite, cobalt, titanium, rare earth elements, etc., are demand intensive due to their strategic uses in various sectors, viz., electric vehicles, renewable energy and defence," the government said. "In case of any further development in rare earth mineral exports to Japan, efforts shall be undertaken to mitigate the disruptions," the government statement said. India had suspended its rare earth mineral export to Japan after China halted export of magnets made of the same material, according to a Reuters report on 15 June, citing unnamed sources. Mint had reported on 7 July that Indian importers rushed to purchase permanent magnets, including rare earth magnets, at a premium from China, ahead of the export control order issued on 4 April.
