MDU VC terms irregularity allegations as ‘baseless and false’

NEW DELHI, AUGUST 16: Maharshi Dayanand Univerity (MDU) Vice Chancellor has termed the allegations of financial and administrative irregularities levelled against him as baseless and false. MDU VC Prof BK Punia has maintained that there was no violation of any kind of the MDU Act.

A social activist recently sent a communique to the Chief Minister of Haryana, Governor and the Chief Secretary, demanding a thorough probe into the alleged irregularities. He has alleged that the VC appointed Subject Experts by violating rules of the University, giving undue benefits to building contractors, irregularities in appointments at various teaching posts.

The Complaint states, “This provision of the Statute 22 (A) of the MDU Calendar (Vol.1) was not followed during the tenure of the present Vice-Chancellor, Prof BK Punia. No panels of experts for the selection committee were invited from the Departmental Committee. The Vice-Chancellor took the liberty of appointing the subject experts.”

On the other hand, as per the Ordinance of Departmental Committees and Duties and Functions of Heads of Departments/ Directors, a list of subject experts is to be prepared by the Departmental Committee of the department concerned and not by the Vice-Chancellor.

Over allegations of MDU giving undue benefits to building contractors, whose scope of work was extended without inviting fresh tenders, Prof Punia clarified that the scope of work of the building contractors had been extended by committees and not by him.

He added that the National Youth Festival was organised by the state government and around Rs 18 crore was spent, while the allocated budget was Rs 23 crore.