The Hindu Business Line : IRMA board extends Director's term — Resolution has no sanctity: Dr Kurien's office

THE Director of Institute of Rural Management, Anand (IRMA), Professor K. Prathap Reddy, has been granted a three-month extension by the institute Board of Governors.

The move is set to start a fresh round of legal battles between the IRMA Chairman, Dr V. Kurien, and his detractors as the membership of four members of the IRMA board has been challenged in the Gujarat High Court.

Eight board members, representing the faction opposing Dr Kurien, on Thursday passed a circular resolution extending Prof Reddy's term that came to an end today.

The resolution was moved by Dr Kurien's one time protégé turned bitter rival, Ms Amrita Patel, who is the Chairperson of the National Dairy Development Board and an ex-officio member of the IRMA Board.

The four individuals whose membership is being debated at the High Court include the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad Director, Prof Bakul Dholakia and National Institute of Design Chairman, Mr Hasmukh Shah.

Dr Kurien's office rubbished the resolution and claimed that it did not have any sanctity.

"Four former board members, who apparently do not have any regard for the legal process, have signed the so called resolution.

The issue of their membership is yet to be decided by the High Court, so how could they pass the resolution," said Mr P.A. Joseph, the Executive Assistant to Dr Kurien.

Mr Joseph claimed that a plain paper resolution marked to Dr Kurien and Prof Reddy was delivered at the Chairman's office.

"It was not on any letter head. The resolution was addressed to Dr Kurien and did not mention that he is the Chairman. Also, the board members have no power to directly mark a copy to the Director," Mr Joseph said.

Prof Reddy had been reinstated as the Director of IRMA only on Tuesday and had a tough time attending office yesterday.

Dr Kurien's camp has gone in appeal before a division bench against the single judge order.

Meanwhile, the Division Bench of the Ahmedabad High Court has criticised the conduct of Dr Kurien and directed him to first ensure that the court's orders were obeyed before the review petition was taken up.

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