Hindu College staff body seeks DU takeover, inquiry into alleged administrative irregularities

NEW DELHI: The Hindu College Staff Association has urged Delhi University to take over the college and order an independent, time-bound inquiry into alleged irregularities in admissions, finances, procurement, appointments and governance. In a memorandum submitted to the DU Vice Chancellor, the staff body raised several concerns, including alleged violations of university admission rules, bypassing of the Staff Council, financial and procurement irregularities, non-disclosure of audit documents and alleged violations related to appointments and tenures.

The association alleged irregularities in supernumerary admissions despite objections from concerned teachers-in-charge and committee convenors, and claimed that the prescribed 20 per cent cap and applicable DU ordinances were breached. It also alleged that a meeting of staff to ratify the admissions was presented as a Staff Council meeting despite not being convened or attended by the elected Staff Council secretary.

The memorandum raised concerns over delays or denial of study leave, child care leave, sabbatical leave and promotions, besides issues related to inquiry reports and exoneration orders. On governance, the association alleged that the Staff Council had been bypassed and that parallel committees had been constituted. It also sought the restoration of the council's statutory authority and regular meetings. The staff body further alleged misuse of college premises and resources for private commercial activities, concerns over governing body membership and the use of college endowment funds towards the Hindu Education Trust's contribution. It also flagged alleged violations of financial and vigilance norms in hostel mess tenders and the prolonged outsourcing of security and sanitation services without open tendering.

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Disclosure of CAG reports, tenders, contracts

The association sought public disclosure of governing body minutes, audited accounts, CAG reports, tenders, contracts, fee structures and scholarship guidelines, subject to applicable confidentiality requirements. The memorandum also raised concerns over student welfare, including unexplained annual fee hikes, grievance redressal mechanisms and the allegedly opaque award of scholarships and fellowships. On appointments, the association raised concerns regarding the continuation of the vice-principal and other fixed-tenure office holders beyond their prescribed terms, as well as the non-advertisement of vacant administrative posts. The staff body also sought an inquiry into repeated fire incidents and structural defects and seepage in new buildings, besides transparent appointments of wardens and other office holders.

Among its demands, the association sought the removal of Hindu College Governing Body Chairman and Principal to ensure an impartial inquiry. It also called for strict compliance with DU statutes, ordinances, General Financial Rules and university directives, and sought fixing of responsibility wherever violations are established. "That the University of Delhi take over Hindu College and form extended GB for the time being to free it from the control of its Trust and Governing Body, so as to thwart any further attempt at privatisation," they added in the memorandum. The memorandum was signed by Ratan Lal, president, and Shankar Kumar, secretary, of the Hindu College Staff Association.