Further, referring to the arbitrary management of the university’s authority, it was revealed that no action was taken while not even the Visitor was referred to, for the final decision. These anomalies were revealed in an official report letter of the Under Secretary to the Government of India, addressed to Nagaland University Vice Chancellor Prof. K Kannan.
It was found that the cancellation of the appointment of a Lecturer in the department of Tenyidie was not found in order, the ministry said. The post of the lecturer was in the department of Tenyidie and a duly-constituted selection committee had made some recommendations. However, the proceedings of the committee were rejected by the executive council of NU. “The necessary follow-up action as per statutory provision was not taken. The matter should have been referred to the Visitor for final decision. Instead, the university simply kept silent after the EC decision”, the Under Secretary’s report stated.
Again, in regard to starting the engineering and management course, the fact-finding committee did not find satisfaction with the decision of the Vice Chancellor to start it at Dimapur, which is not an approved campus. The engineering and management courses were sanction by the UGC/Ministry of Human Resource Development.
Dimapur is not an approved campus either by the UGC/MHRD or the executive council of Nagaland University, the ministry reminded. “The university already has three campuses and Dimapur has become the fourth. This has further aggravated the problems of properly managing the university, with so many scattered campuses” the government noted.
Pertinent to these stated matters, the Visitor had directed the vice chancellor to show-cause within ten days explaining why the university rejected the recommendations of the selection committee.
The VC was directed to show-cause why it decided to re-advertise the post of the lecturer in the Tenyidie department without seeking the direction of the Visitor, why the decision should not be annulled. The VC was also directed to explain the action of the university to set up the engineering and management campus at Dimapur without receiving approval from the statutory authorities.
CBI probing graft in NU
Dimapur, February 19 : Complementing the report of the fact-finding committee looking into various allegations leveled against a number of Nagaland University officials, the Central Bureau of Investigation is confirmed to have been referred the matter of corruption. A delayed copy of the Under Secretary, Ministry of Human Resource Development, addressed to the Vice Chancellor of NU was received here.
The letter corroborated the charges leveled against the university’s higher-ups by the Nagaland University Teachers’ Association and report of the fact-finding committee, including appointment and infrastructural anomalies. Aside from Kannan, the letter mentioned in particular, “amongst others, an officer who had recently been appointed as Controller of Examination” in the “loss” or fraudulent withdrawal of Rs. 33.77 Lakh earlier.
In the letter dated January this year, addressed to Vice Chancellor Prof. K Kannan, the ministry said all the complaints concerning financial irregularities have been referred to the CBI.
The letter corroborated the charges leveled against the university’s higher-ups by the Nagaland University Teachers’ Association and report of the fact-finding committee, including appointment and infrastructural anomalies. Aside from Kannan, the letter mentioned in particular, “amongst others, an officer who had recently been appointed as Controller of Examination” in the “loss” or fraudulent withdrawal of Rs. 33.77 Lakh earlier.
In the letter dated January this year, addressed to Vice Chancellor Prof. K Kannan, the ministry said all the complaints concerning financial irregularities have been referred to the CBI.
These matters, which have “vigilance angle”, have been referred to the CBI for investigation. This is to identify and prosecute those found responsible for the anomalies. Interestingly, the letter directed the VC to extend full cooperation to the agency in facilitating its investigations.
In related matters, the Under Secretary advised the Vice Chancellor to take a follow-action on the recommendations made by the fact-finding committee consequent to its findings on various managerial and infrastructural anomalies.
The letter of the ministry took the VC to task for a considerable number of anomalies found in the university’s system. The VC was conveyed the displeasure of the Visitor, the President of India, that Prof. Kannan remained out of station for more than 50% of the duration between August 2006 and February 3008. This absence was ‘excessive’, the ministry’s letter said, adding that the President had directed her displeasure to be conveyed to the VC.
Further, the ministry minced no word that the university has failed ‘miserably’ in discharging its statutory responsibilities. Audited Annual Accounts to the Parliament and as well as accounts for the financial year 2004-2005 onward remain pending. Slamming Nagaland University’s authorities for “conducting themselves” lackadaisically, they were rebuked for being unable to appoint a regular finance officer “since quite sometime”.
The ministry took strong exception that the university failed to take action against the officials responsible for loss or fraudulent withdrawal of university funds amounting to Rs. 33. 77 lakhs. This matter involved, “amongst others, an officer who had recently been appointed as Controller of Examination”. It has since then been directed that immediate action be taken against all in concern, including the Controller of Examination, under the Rules of Conduct and they be divested of authority, the letter stated.
The observations of the committee over the planning and development of NU’s three campuses was taken strong note of. Particular exception was taken to that of Lumami campus, the university’s HQ, that action should have been initiated to shift from the present location at Kohima.
More, the ministry referred to the fact-finding committee’s observation that no progress was made by NU in drafting statues, ordinances and regulations. Except in the first ordinance, even after close to 15 years since the university came into being no progress was made, the ministry said. A number of statutes and ordinances still need amendment, it reminded the VC.
“Taking a serious note in this regard, the Visitor has directed that the university may explain the reasons and circumstances under which this could not be done and should take immediate steps in this regard so that the whole exercise is completed within six months” the Under Secretary directed.