Latest news with #CizaThomas
The Print
31-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Kerala HC orders disbursal of pension of former VC Ciza Thomas
'This court cannot ignore the gross injustice meted out to such a distinguished government servant. We will have to protect her pensionary right, which is a property right under the Constitution, and it cannot be denied as such unless by a procedure established by law. A bench of Justices A Muhamed Mustaque and Johnson John noted that the government exercised its authority and power to 'harass' Thomas for taking up the VC's office at the instance of the chancellor, the then Governor Arif Mohammed Khan. Kochi, May 30 (PTI) The Kerala High Court held on Friday that the state government withholding the pension of Ciza Thomas, former vice-chancellor of the A P J Abdul Kalam Technological University, was a violation of her fundamental rights and directed that her entire terminal benefits be released within two weeks. 'In view of the above, we direct the official respondents (government) to release the entire terminal benefits due to her within two weeks from today,' the bench said. It said the question of interest payable on the amount can be left to the Administrative Tribunal to decide. The bench came to the finding after noting that the disciplinary proceedings initiated against Thomas were quashed by the high court and no judicial proceedings were pending against her. It said the Kerala Service Rules allow the state government to withhold pension only when departmental proceedings or judicial proceedings are pending. 'In the absence of any pending departmental or judicial proceedings, the government cannot withhold pensionary benefits of Dr Ciza Thomas. 'We note that the government exercised its authority and power in flagrant violation of her fundamental rights and to harass her for taking up the office of the vice-chancellor at the instance of the chancellor, the then governor,' the bench said. The order came on a plea moved by Thomas seeking a direction to the government to disburse her regular pension, arrears and all other terminal benefits. According to the court, the only justification given by the government for the delay in disbursing the pensionary benefits was that it has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court against the dismissal of its special leave petition challenging a Kerala High Court order that set aside its show-cause notice to Thomas as part of the disciplinary action initiated against her. The action was initiated after she retired in March 2023 as the principal of the Government Engineering College, Thiruvananthapuram. The government was of the view that she violated the Government Servants Conduct Rules by assuming the office of the vice-chancellor. PTI HMP RC This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Release pension, benefits to Ciza Thomas in 2 weeks: HC to govt
Kochi: In a major setback to the state govt, Kerala high court on Friday ordered the release of all terminal benefits due to Ciza Thomas, former vice-chancellor of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (formerly Kerala Technological University), within two weeks. Allowing the petition filed by Thomas seeking the disbursement of pensionary benefits and monthly pension, a division bench of Justices A Muhamed Mustaque and Johnson John held that the govt violated her fundamental rights by denying her terminal benefits. Thomas retired from service on March 31, 2023. On the same day, a charge memo was issued to her, alleging that she had assumed charge as the vice-chancellor without the approval of the govt. However, despite these rulings, the state govt continued to withhold her death-cum-retirement gratuity and other retirement benefits, prompting her to approach the court once again. The only justification provided by the govt for withholding her pensionary benefits was that it had filed a review petition before the apex court against the dismissal of its special leave petition challenging the quashing of proceedings against Thomas. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trending in in 2025: Local network access control [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo The court observed that no disciplinary proceedings were pending against her, no adverse claims were raised, and a liability certificate was already issued. Citing Rule 3 of Part III of the Kerala Service Rules (KSR), it clarified that the govt may withhold pension only if departmental or judicial proceedings are pending. In the absence of such proceedings, the withholding of pensionary benefits was held to be unlawful. The court further criticised the govt's actions, stating that they amounted to a flagrant violation of her fundamental rights and constituted harassment for having accepted the office of the vice-chancellor at the instance of the former chancellor and governor. She was serving as senior joint director at the technical education department earlier. The high court subsequently quashed the charge memo proceedings, and this decision was later upheld by the Supreme Court. It remarked that such gross injustice to a distinguished govt servant could not be overlooked. It reaffirmed that the right to pension is a property right under the Constitution and cannot be denied except through a procedure established by law. Regarding the issue of interest, the court held that the petitioner can approach the tribunal, which is competent to decide the matter. Thomas is currently serving as the temporary vice-chancellor of the Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology (Digital University Kerala), in accordance with the chancellor's directive.
The Hindu
30-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
HC orders status quo on V-Cs' appointment till June 6
The Kerala High Court has extended its previous order directing that status quo be maintained with respect to Vice-Chancellors of the Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology and the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University until June 6. The interim order came on the appeals filed by the Chancellor and the Vice-Chancellors, challenging the judgment of the single Bench, which had held that the appointment as V-Cs of Ciza Thomas (Digital University) and K. Sivaprasad (Technological University) was not in accordance with law, owing to the absence of a recommendation from the State. In his appeal, the Chancellor said the Supreme Court had recognised the independent authority of the Chancellor in the appointment of Vice-Chancellors. He further contended that the requirement of the State government's recommendation under the university Acts was inconsistent with UGC Regulations, 2018. He further contended that the six-month tenure limit applied only under the university Acts, and that the incumbents could continue until regular appointments are made.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Appointment of Ciza Thomas as temporary vice-chancellor of digital varsity not sustainable in law, rules Kerala high court
Kochi: High court has held that the appointment of Ciza Thomas as the temporary vice-chancellor (VC) of the Kerala University of Digital Sciences , Innovation and Technology (Digital University) by the chancellor, without the recommendation of the state govt, is not sustainable in law. The bench of Justice P Gopinath issued order in a petition filed by the state challenging Thomas's appointment by the chancellor. However, the bench clarified that the declaration of illegality would not result in Ciza Thomas being removed from office, as her tenure is set to expire on May 27. The court also directed the state govt to take steps to recommend to the chancellor the names of eligible persons with qualifications prescribed by University Grants Commission (UGC) for appointment as temporary VC, pending the selection of a regular VC. The court observed that the appointment process must be governed by the UGC Regulations on Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers in Universities and Colleges, 2018. The state had alleged in its petition that Arif Mohammed Khan, the then chancellor, appointed Ciza Thomas, former VC of Kerala Technological University (KTU), as the temporary VC in Nov 2024 without following the procedure mandated under the University Act. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Click Here - This Might Save You From Losing Money Expertinspector Click Here Undo Upon examining sub-section (10) of Section 11 of the Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology Act, 2020, HC accepted the state's contention that such appointments must be made with the recommendation of the state govt and passed orders accordingly. "Why so much antagonism towards her?" Meanwhile, a high court division bench on Wednesday questioned the state govt on why it was so antagonistic toward Ciza Thomas merely for having served as the VC of a university. The bench of Justices A Muhamed Mustaque and Johnson John made the remarks while hearing her petition seeking a directive to the state to disburse her monthly pension, arrears, and other terminal benefits. The petition was adjourned to Thursday. While serving as senior joint director in directorate of technical education, Ciza Thomas was appointed as KTU VC by the then chancellor Arif Muhamed Khan in Nov 2022. Her appointment came after the chancellor rejected the name the state govt recommended for the post. Subsequently, on the day of her retirement in March 2023, the state govt issued a charge memo to Thomas, alleging that she had assumed charge as VC without govt permission. The high court later quashed the disciplinary proceedings initiated against her. However, the state govt denied her monthly pension and terminal benefits, prompting her to move HC.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Digital university set to float tender for science park soon
T'puram: The Digital University Kerala (DUK) technical committee will likely grant final technical sanction to the ambitious Digital Science Park project in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday. This crucial approval, expected to be issued by the committee after its project review meeting, will clear the way for the construction phase to officially to DUK vice-chancellor Ciza Thomas, the technical sanction is the last remaining step before initiating the tendering process. "Once the sanction is granted, we will float the construction tender—likely within a month," she said. The upcoming facility, initially conceived as a two-building complex, has been scaled down to a single structure due to state budget constraints. The 2 lakh square-foot building is expected to be completed within 12 State Information Technology Infrastructure Ltd (KSITIL), the project consultant, has completed its preparatory work and submitted the detailed project report (DPR) to DUK. KSITIL will also take part in the technical committee meeting. The Digital Science Park will be developed at Technopark Phase IV in Pallipuram under the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) has approved Rs 212.87 crore for the first phase. Currently, the park operates from a 15,000 square-foot temporary facility in the Kabani building at Technopark Phase IV, hosting eight technology firms focused on advanced research in artificial intelligence, machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT), and robotics .The permanent five-storey facility will be built on a 13.93-acre site near the Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology. It will include centres of excellence, research labs, and digital incubators. Once completed, it will become India's first third-generation Digital Science Park, envisioned as a hub for cutting-edge research and technological innovation. The total project outlay is estimated at Rs 1,515 crore, with Rs 1,175 crore to be funded by KIIFB. The remaining amount will be raised through partnerships with industry stakeholders. The state govt has already given in-principle approval and sanctioned Rs 200 crore via Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the project on April 25, 2023. CM Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the interim facility in July 2023. Once fully operational, the park is expected to attract global talent, boost investments, and enhance state's knowledge economy.
