Two polytechnic lecturers suspended over fake research publications

The government has suspended from service two polytechnic lecturers for submitting fake research publications to get career advancement scheme (CAS) benefits.

Mini R.S., lecturer in the Electronics Engineering department at Government Polytechnic College, Attingal, and Bindu M.S., lecturer at Government Polytechnic College, Ezhukone, were found to have submitted predatory journals along with CAS 9000 (career advancement scheme) applications. There were discrepancies and contradictions in publication dates and PDF metadata and some papers were not published in the years that were claimed, according to a government order (GO).

This follows a complaint to the Chief Secretary’s complaint redressal cell seeking inquiry into irregularities in sanctioning the CAS 9000 grade pay and strict action against the accused. The government directed the Technical Education Director to probe the complaint and submit a detailed report. The Technical Education Director entrusted a three-member committee to probe the irregularities.

It was found that a steering committee that met on November 29, 2022, considered the applications of the two lecturers and recommended that CAS 9000 be allowed in light of the details of paper publications along with their applications.

The steering committtee met again on October 11, 2023, and the two teachers submitted their applications and details of paper publications. The CAS 9000 benefits were procured by making it seem that the duo had paper publications in 2016-17, according to the GO.

The committee prima facie found that the government treasury suffered financial losses owing to submission of fake and misleading documents.

The government prima facie found serious lapses on the part of the teachers in discharge of their official duties and decided to suspend them.