Bhubaneswar: The Governor has removed vice chancellor of Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) Surendranath Pasupalak from his position with immediate effect after corruption charges were leveled against him by the former assistant registrar of the varsity.
Pasupalak was sent on leave on account of corruption charges. Governor and Chancellor of the university, Ganeshi Lal has sent Pasupalak on leave with immediate effect.
According to sources, the Governor has taken this step to ensure transparency in the probe initiated against Pasupalak in a corruption case.
Meanwhile, Principal Secretary to Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment department, Saurabh Garg, has been given additional charge as VC of the varsity.
The Governor had ordered a vigilance probe into the corruption charges made against Pasupalak December 9, 2018.
Last year, the Ex-Assistant Registrar of OUAT, Pramod Kumar Jena had brought corruption charges against the VC in recruitment and manipulation of records of the university for his personal benefits.
In a letter to the Chief Secretary, the principal secretary to the Governor had stated, “Minister for Agriculture and Panchayati Raj and Pro-Chancellor, OUAT forwarded two petitions as received from PK Jena, Ex-Assistant Registrar of OUAT, alleging manipulation of records by Pasupalak for personal benefit, erroneous advertisement in recruitment for Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) of OUAT, manipulation of records and abuse of position for undue personal service benefits.”