Berhampur: Resentment brewed among students of Berhampur University over alleged irregularities. Despite repeated complaints, the higher education department has not initiated any inquiry into the students’ allegations, it is learnt.
During a visit to the varsity, Governor Ganeshi Lal had sought a probe into various irregularities plaguing the university. But the department is yet to begin a probe. Ganeshi Lal, who is also the Chancellor, in a letter to the department, had asked it to immediately probe the alleged irregularities not only at Berhampur University but also at Ravenshaw and submit a report within 60 days.
Acting on the letter, the department directed additional secretary of higher education Prasanta Kumar Das to probe the irregularities.
While a high-level investigation by Das detected massive irregularities and corruption at Ravenshaw, questions have been raised on whether there will be a free and fair probe into the corruption at Berhampur University.
Berhampur varsity came under the government scanner after allegations of irregularities, including appointment of staff and lecturers, discrepancies in teaching and evaluation of answer sheets, management and infrastructure development and funds mismanagement have surfaced at regular intervals.
The Students’ Union of the university had also levelled allegations of funds embezzlement under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (Rusa) and the UGC claiming that these funds were mismanaged and spent lavishly by Vice Chancellor Rajendra Prasad Das.
The department had also ordered an audit of the accounts of Berhampur University after finding a mismatch between bank deposits and expenditure to the tune of Rs 19.64 crore. According to sources, the director of the local fund audit was asked to look into the financial irregularities and the process was completed.
PNN