Probe Reveals Massive Irregularities In Ravenshaw University

Bhubaneswar: There have been massive irregularities in the Ravenshaw University, additional secretary, Higher Education, Prashant Kumar Das, told mediapersons here on Thursday.

“There have been massive irregularities on several matters. It has been found that the university authorities had purchased computers worth Rs 95 lakh without floating any tender in the 2014-15 financial year. Besides, there been gross violation in the appointment of teacher in 2015-16 academic session in which contractual lecturers have been directly appointed as the Readers. In 2017-18, direct appointment has been given to the contractual lecturers without any advertisement,” he said.

Das further said that there have been gross irregularities in the tour expenses of the vice-chancellor. “The vice-chancellor has availed his monthly tour expenses of Rs 40,000,” he added.

The additional secretary said he would submit his probe report to the state government within a week.

“We have provided all information sought by the additional secretary for the investigation. The state government will take necessary action on the basis of his report,” Registrar of Ravenshaw University, Maheswar Agasti told the media.

It may be mentioned here that following allegation of rampant irregularities in the Ravenshaw University, the Governor and the Chancellor of University Ganeshi Lal had asked the Higher Education department to order a high-level probe. Following the directive, the department had asked the additional secretary to probe the matter.

Acting on the order, Das visited the university on August 21. Gross irregularities were found during examination of the three-year audit report of the varsity, official sources said.