VIJAYANAGARA: The Hampi Kannada University that has earned a special status for research in language, literature, culture and history is at the center of a fund misappropriation case in which its former vice-chancellor and former registrar did not call tenders for development work done using around Rs 50 crore of government money.
The Karnataka Lokayukta, which conducted a probe, has submitted a report confirming irregularities. The complaint regarding the irregularities was filed by HM Somanath, a non-teaching university staff member who works as an office superintendent. Somanath’s complaint was against Professor Mallika Ghanti, the vice-chancellor between 2015 and 2016, and Professor D Pandurangababu, the then registrar, and others for the alleged misappropriation of government funds.
The Lokayukta conducted an inquiry and submitted its report to the government on August 13, 2021, and documentary evidence to the department of higher education in January 2022. In its investigation report said that “the works were intentionally divided to bring them into the purview of a piece work contract. Hence, prayed to take action against the pray.”
Professor Ghanti dismissed the as “false”. She said that all the development work had been done according to government rules through the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Ltd (KRIDL) and materials were purchased through the Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (KEONICS). “These are false. The government exempted us from calling tenders if we allocated the work and purchasing of materials through these agencies,” she said.
The Kannada University had spent Rs 50.86 crore in purchasing materials from KEONICS and had done the development work through KRIDL by bypassing the Karnataka Transparency Public in Procurement Act (KTPP), 1999, during 2014-15 and 2015-16, Somanath had alleged.
According to the Lokayukta report, the government had granted Rs 77.84 crore to the university between 2015-19. Without calling for a tender, the work was executed and purchases were made using Rs 50.86 crore. The executive committee has accepted the investigation report and rejected the replies given by the university officials.
The matter is now pending before the government to act against the officials.
“The university authorities have violated government rules while executing the work and they have misused the government grants by dividing the work. The university used more than 1.5 times of the estimated amount for the development work. The Lokayukta investigation report has upheld my investigation,” Somanath said. “I am fully confident on Dr CN Ashwathnarayan, who is the minister for higher education, will initiate actions against criminals based on this report,” he added.
The Karnataka Lokayukta, which conducted a probe, has submitted a report confirming irregularities. The complaint regarding the irregularities was filed by HM Somanath, a non-teaching university staff member who works as an office superintendent. Somanath’s complaint was against Professor Mallika Ghanti, the vice-chancellor between 2015 and 2016, and Professor D Pandurangababu, the then registrar, and others for the alleged misappropriation of government funds.
The Lokayukta conducted an inquiry and submitted its report to the government on August 13, 2021, and documentary evidence to the department of higher education in January 2022. In its investigation report said that “the works were intentionally divided to bring them into the purview of a piece work contract. Hence, prayed to take action against the pray.”
Professor Ghanti dismissed the as “false”. She said that all the development work had been done according to government rules through the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Ltd (KRIDL) and materials were purchased through the Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (KEONICS). “These are false. The government exempted us from calling tenders if we allocated the work and purchasing of materials through these agencies,” she said.
The Kannada University had spent Rs 50.86 crore in purchasing materials from KEONICS and had done the development work through KRIDL by bypassing the Karnataka Transparency Public in Procurement Act (KTPP), 1999, during 2014-15 and 2015-16, Somanath had alleged.
According to the Lokayukta report, the government had granted Rs 77.84 crore to the university between 2015-19. Without calling for a tender, the work was executed and purchases were made using Rs 50.86 crore. The executive committee has accepted the investigation report and rejected the replies given by the university officials.
The matter is now pending before the government to act against the officials.
“The university authorities have violated government rules while executing the work and they have misused the government grants by dividing the work. The university used more than 1.5 times of the estimated amount for the development work. The Lokayukta investigation report has upheld my investigation,” Somanath said. “I am fully confident on Dr CN Ashwathnarayan, who is the minister for higher education, will initiate actions against criminals based on this report,” he added.
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