'Annamalai University received highest grant of Rs 423 crore'

CHENNAI: Annamalai University had been given Rs 423 crore as grant by the present government after it took charge of it, the highest amount to be given among all universities in the state, Minister for Higher Education P Palinappan said today.

"Annamalai University is the only University in the State to receive the highest funds from the Government. The Government alloted Rs 423 crore in the last four years", he informed the Assembly today.

Replying to a query raised by CPI (M) Balakrishnan, he said the move was made considering the future of lecturers and staff employed in the University for a long time.

"The University was under severe financial crisis and the Government's only objective was to safeguard the future of staff, including lecturers employed in the University".

To a query on filling up vacancies of lecturers in government run colleges and universities, Palaniappan said the committee set up to fill up them had identified about 2,400 vacancies.

"Of the 2,400, 1,406 vacancies have been filled up so far and the remaining will be completed in the coming months", he said.