SUCC seeks action against teachers skipping biometric punching at Sanskrit varsity

The Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady. | Photo Credit: file photo The Save University Campaign Committee (SUCC) has petitioned the Vice-Chancellor (V-C) of Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit (SSUS), Kalady, to initiate action on a report by the State Audit department that a majority of teachers were not recording their attendance using the biometric punching facility.The Audit department had pointed out in its report dated October 28, 2026, that only a few teachers of the departments of Sanskrit (Sahitya) and Music were recording their attendance using the biometric punching facility.The varsity had installed biometric punching machines in various buildings following a decision taken in April 2022 that all teaching and non-teaching staff should record their daily attendance using the facility. However, the scrutiny of biometric punching attendance report for the year 2024 showed that only a few teachers were availing the facility, the report said.SUCC chairperson R.S. Sasikumar urged the university authorities to ensure that teachers recorded their attendance using the punching facility. Steps have to be taken not to release the salary of the teachers who failed to comply with the requirement, he said.Members of the Association of Sree Sankaracharya University Teachers (ASSUT) said biometric punching units had not been installed in all departments. A few existing units are not functioning, they claimed. They pointed out that teachers need to have flexible working hours in view of the extra hours spent on conducting research and other related works.The SSUS has petitioned Governor Om Prakash Mathur, who is also the Chancellor of State universities, to conduct an audit on teaching and non-teaching appointments at the university since 2000. It quoted a report of the Audit department dated October 6, 2026, which said that 46 professors were working at the varsity without the approval of the government.Teachers affiliated with the ASSUT rejected the audit finding, saying that the number of professors saw an increase as a direct outcome of the promotions earned through the Career Advancement Scheme under the UGC Regulations and not because of the creation of additional posts. Published - November 09, 2026 08:27 pm IST