Four months on, the Punjabi University is yet to fix responsibility and take action against the erring officials and employees on the basis of findings of the inquiry reports related to allegations of corruption, nepotism and misuse of funds during 2007-2017.
In a Syndicate meeting in August this year, a three-member subcommittee was formed to look into the findings of the inquiry reports compiled by a two-member probe panel of former IAS officer Jagjit Puri and former IPS officer VK Kapoor, as recommended by vice-chancellor (V-C) Prof BS Ghuman, to fix responsibility on the erring officers.
The subcommittee had proposed that the university should initiate action on the basis of the inquiry reports regarding financial irregularities that have resulted in financial dent on the university’s fiscal health. However, no action has been taken since then.
V-C Ghuman said that the varsity is re-examining the findings of the reports before initiating any action.
“We have accepted the findings of six of the inquiry reports, while the remaining six will be discussed with secretary (higher education) suring the next Syndicate meeting,” the V-C added.
He said that time bound action will be taken accordingly to the outcome of the discussion.
{{/usCountry}}He said that time bound action will be taken accordingly to the outcome of the discussion.
{{/usCountry}}12 PROBES WERE ORDERED
Following the resignation of former vice-chancellor (V-C) Dr Jaspal Singh in March 2017, the then secretary higher education Anurag Verma was appointed as the officiating V-C.
Verma had received complaints of alleged irregularities in the university’s functioning from 2007 to 2017. These included allegations of nepotism, corruption, and bungling of funds in the examination branch, among other issues.
On the basis of these complaints, Verma had ordered 14 internal inquiries in April, 2017. The sealed reports of these were handed over to incumbent V-C Prof BS Ghuman in December, 2017.
The V-C had formed a two-member committee, comprising of former IAS officer Jagjit Puri and former IPS officer VK Kapoor, to further investigate the internal inquiry reports.
The panel had submitted its sealed findings to the university in July, 2018. The varsity syndicate had not opened inquiry report related to purchase of fire extinguishers worth ₹80 lakh.
The reports included alleged illegal recruitment of 65 assistant professors between 2009 to 2016, a flawed procedure in recruiting assistant professors at constituent colleges, giving priority to waiting list candidates in teaching and non-teaching departments, recruitment of outsourced employees, recruitment of teachers on fake SC/BC certificates, purchase of paper case and answer book case at higher prices, giving undue promotions, faulty purchase of software distant education department and examination branch, incorrect pay fixation, and giving service extensions to retiree employees.
A senior official privy to inside information, pleading anonymity, said that the inquiry reports submitted by two-member probe panel came as dejection. Instead of suggesting stringent actions and logical conclusion, the reports mentioned advisories for the university to avoid such negligence in future.
“To further examine these reports, a three-member subcommittee was formed,” an official said.