New Delhi, October 18: It’s been less than three months after the Rajasthan government passed The Universities’ Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2019, according to which there is a provision to remove vice-chancellors. Inquiries have been initiated by the state government regarding alleged irregularities that took place in at least two universities under the previous, BJP-led government.
BJP accuses Congress govt.
During the ongoing inquiries, the Congress government in the state has been accused by the BJP for deliberate initiation of inquiries for harassing academics appointed during the previous regime and interference in the autonomy of universities.
Investigation being done with the Governor’s permission
Rajasthan Higher Education Minister Bhanwar Singh Bhati pointed out that the inquiries are being conducted “with the Governor’s permission”. He also denied that they are part of any political vendetta.
Financial irregularities under whose tenure is being probed are alleged by N P Kaushik, retired V-C of Rajasthan Technical University (RTU), Kota. He called the allegations of financial irregularities “baseless”.
The state government had written to the Governor’s office on August 26, as per the records of the Higher Education Department. It had also recommended an investigation regarding the alleged financial irregularities. The divisional commissioner of Kota initiated the inquiry following permission.
Divisional commissioner Laxmi Naryan Soni, who carried on the investigation, told the media that the inquiry is being done regarding the investment of funds for provident fund. He shared that the report has been sent to the Governor following the inquiry.
“There is a university regulation in place for provident funds, under which a committee is instituted to look into investments. (These) investments have been made according to recommendations of the committee. All procedures and regulations were followed after due discussions and several meetings. The allegations of financial irregularities are baseless. I have not been called for any inquiry,” Former V-C Kaushik has been quoted as saying to a national daily.
His term V-C ended in January 2019 and he retired in May.
In July, a similar act amending the Rajasthan Technical Universities laws was also passed.
Government officials said that after then Governor Kalyan Singh gave his approval on September 5, an inquiry was initiated against University of Rajasthan’s vice-chancellor R K Kothari on allegations of irregularities in the finance and recruitment procedure.
