Land row: Calicut Varsity VC denies allegations

KOZHIKODE: Strongly refuting the allegations of political nepotism in Calicut University’s Green Sports Complex project, an emotionally charged Vice-chancellor M Abdul Salam termed the IUML links to the trusts which came forward  to take up the project as ‘purely an accidental coincidence’ and offered to resign from the post if proved otherwise. Addressing media persons at a press conference here on Wednesday, Abdul Salam asked the media to withdraw the words ‘Bhoomidanam’ (Gifting of land) from the reports.
“Anybody can go through the three resolutions passed by the Syndicate regarding the deals with the trusts as part of the Green Sports Complex on Calicut University campus. There is no such clause in it saying that the University has allotted land to these trusts. Not even a single inch of University land has been allotted. If anybody can prove otherwise, I offer to resign. It’s unfortunate that no person has tried to understand the real facts behind the issue,” he said.
The vice-chancellor reiterated that there was no interference from the IUML leadership and the decision was to bring in funds for the development of the University, which is facing acute financial crisis. “There are several deficit areas in the University which urgently need funds. These include Sports, ICT, Environment, and Skill departments.
“Our grant is just `80 crore and the total requirement for salary would come to around `140 crore. To build infrastructure, University will accept donations. But the execution of the projects and the management of the centres should be done by the university itself. With the cancellation of projects, you are the loser,” he said.  
Abdul Salam also made it clear that he would go on with the development agenda ‘unless and until you people stop me or kill me’.