23 charges! VTU panel has massive task

Bengaluru: The terms of references mentioned by Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala to the one man fact finding committee headed by Justice Ajith J Gunjal, retired judge of the Karnataka High Court on alleged irregularities in the prestigious Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Belagavi has opened a can of worms. Interestingly 23 issues which were directed to be probed and inquired into in the terms of reference, were serious in nature.

According to the copy of the governor's order, the one-man fact finding committee was directed to inquire into allegations of multi-crore irregularities which include infructuous/ wasteful expenditure of Rs 306.62 lakh on the defunct E-Vidya Online Learning system, unfruitful expenditure on the water supply scheme to VTU campus, Belgaum to the tune of Rs331.62 lakh, loss of interest of Rs 1.14 crore towards investment of fixed deposit, wasteful expenditure of Rs 75.49 lakh on the purchase of software and due to non-usage and setting up of various laboratories, acceptance of unreasonable tender in providing digital valuation system to examination section, outsourcing of examination management system of VTU at exorbitant rates, non-consideration of re-tendering option on account of exorbitant rates quoted by the tenderer with regard to VTU Institute of Advanced Technology Campus at Muddenahally, non-recovery of royalty charges amounting to Rs 50.20 lakh from M/S Ramky Infrastructure Limited, Hyderbad in respect of 2nd stage civil works of VTU, Beglaum, avoidable payment of Rs 35.53 lakh towards reinstatement of software for setting up of data center, VTU, inadmissible advance payment of Rs 132 lakh to the contractor M/s Teekays Solutions against contract provisions, irregularities in the site development to the tune of Rs 225 lakhs at Gulbarga regional center, frittering away Rs 1.40 crores of e-learning fees under Gyan-X, non-performance of campus automation software (inspro plus) installed at the cost of Rs 26.25 lakhs and irregularities in the appointment of 168 teaching posts.

Seat and marks scam
Interestingly two other important issues which were directed to be inquired into are related to irregularities in effecting change of courses/colleges of students and irregularities in revaluation of answer scripts of various examinations conducted by the university.

According to sources at the technical education board there is a provision to change college and course after the B.E. second semester.

“We were not aware of the fact that VTU officials are facing a number of allegations. All the decisions were taken at the university level.

It is stunning to find that allegations have surfaced even in the development works undertaken at the birth place of Sir M Visvesvaraya who is known for his honesty and integrity in his whole lifetime,” informed an officer from the state higher education department.