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| CAG pricks JU’s ‘global status’ balloon | | When Campus was Riding High on its ‘International Identity’ it was Simultaneously Becoming Den of Irregularities | | Early Times Report
Jammu, March 5: Over past few years the University of Jammu has riding high on its claimed international standards of academics and infrastructure. However, the latest report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), for the same period when University was taking by storm its global connections and affiliations, says that the Campus has been a den of irregularities.
The irregularities pointed out by the CAG are glaring and strange. Dubbed by many of its officers as ‘Oxford of South Asia’, took a contingent of students to China, at an expenditure of nearly Rs 9 lakhs, to sensitise them on journalists. The CAG is surprised at the fact that Jammu University does not have any department of Journalism and Mass Communication. Interestingly not even a single student (from any department) was on board China tour.
Of many irregularities pointed by the CAG, here is a glossary of few of them:
• Research projects worth crores left midway
The research projects planned by the University are got approved from the UGC for funding. Besides, research projects of other agencies including those proposed by the UGC are also undertaken by the University. During 2002-08, the University undertook 33 research projects. Of the 17 projects due for completion as of March 2008. only three projects had been completed. There was a time over run of one to three years in respect of 14 projects due for completion up to March 2008. Of the remaining 16 on-going projects, data in respect of 9 projects was not available. Audit Scrutiny of 16 projects (cost: Rs 1.26 crore) taken up during 2002 and 2003 revealed that the projects were not completed ( December 2007) within the stipulated period despite Rs. 1.01 crore having been incurred on them. The annual progress reports, technical reports showing how far research objectives have been achieved, final utilization certificates together with audited statements of accounts and evidence that research papers had been published in journals and national/ internal conferences, had not been maintained/ furnished to the agencies funding the research projects. Therefore, the extent of achievement of the objectives of the research could not be verified. Out of five research projects entrusted to the University, three projects had been left midway during 2003-08.
• Laxity in monitoring of research programmes
The University statutes require the scholars joining PhD programmes to submit research thesis within five years (extendable to seven years). It was, however, seen that out of 554 scholars registered for pursuing PhD between April 1998 and October 2003, only 306 scholars had submitted their thesis up to January 2008. Out of the remaining 248 scholars, 241 had yet to submit their thesis, while registration of seven scholars had been cancelled. It was further seen that the thesis of 258 scholars (out of 306) had been pending approval. The Registrar attributed (April 2008) the delay in acceptance of thesis to non-availability of experts/scholars. It was further stated that the status of 241 scholars was being ascertained, which indicated laxity in monitoring the research programmes.
• Research Collaboration or leisure tours
In order to familiarize the students and the faculty in the field of Journalism and Mass Communication and also be explore collaboration arrangements covering students and faculty, an exchange tour was arranged to China by the India-China Alliance Centre. The tour to China was conducted in the month of October 2007 whereon, an expenditure of Rs. 8.70 Lakh had been incurred. Audit scrutiny revealed that neither the members sent on tour to China were related to the subject nor was any students included in the tour, defeating the intended purpose.
• Casual evaluation approach delaying results by months
The University had conducted all the examinations on scheduled dates during the review period. However, there were delays ranging from 23 to 64 days in declaration of results in respect of under-graduate examinations held during the period 2002-07. Similarly, there were delays of 11 to 274 days in declaration of results in respect of PG examinations. The results of examinations in respect of various PG courses (38 semesters) held between June 2004 and September 2007 had not been declared as of January 2008, even after 100 to 1,270 days of due date by which result should have been declared. The University Statutes provide for declaration of results not later than 6th week of respective dates of termination of examinations. Delayed/non declaration of results not only deprive the students of planning and pursuing further studies towards employability but also reflects on the inefficiency in the functioning of the University.
The Registrar stated (April 2008) that the delay was on account of late receipt of answer scripts by evaluators, appointment of new evaluators against the ones who returned the answer scripts unevaluated and conducting of practical examinations after the theory examination. It was assured that every effort would be made to declare the results in time. The reply indicated that the University has been appointing evaluators in a casual manner and not supervising the functioning of evaluators, which is evident from the fact that answer scripts were received without evaluation by the University from a number of evaluators.
• Cause of mental agony to students
Revaluation of answer scripts is done on the request of students who are not satisfied with the valuation of their answer scripts. Out of 8,631 applications received during 2002-2007 for revaluation in respect of post-graduate courses (Semester I to IV), 3,752 (43 percent) candidates were declared successful and 949 (11 percent) candidates already declared successful improved their percentage. Similarly 34,611 re-valuation cases were received during 2002-2007 in respect of under – graduate courses, out of which, 9,105 (26 percent) students were declared successful and 433 improved their percentage. In addition, the percentage of successful candidates after revaluation in respect of B. Ed candidates for annual and bi-annual examinations of 2006 was 32. This was scripts which were bound to cause mental agony to the students apart from contributing to a general lack of faith in the efficiency and neutrality of the examinations conducted by the University.
• Eyes-shut approach on private colleges
Jammu and Kashmir Private Colleges ‘Regulations and Control Rules 2005’ envisages assessment of area and availability of resources for establishment of new private BEd colleges by the Government. Scrutiny of records (December 2007) revealed that 42 out of 64 colleges establishment in Jammu Division have been running in Jammu district alone and only 22 had been functioning in five other districts. The Registrar stated (February/April 2008) that powers for grant of ‘no objection certificate’ for opening of colleges vested with the Government.
The grant of affiliation to the colleges is subject to evaluation by the University, of t he available infrastructural facilities (separate plot of land measuring a minimum of 8 Kanals, separate hostels for boys and girls, Library, etc. and equality of inputs) required for making the instructional process effective and meaningful. Audit scrutiny, however, revealed that out of 17 B Ed colleges, nine colleges were granted affiliation despite not fulfilling the necessary preconditions, viz. more than one college was housed on the same plot of land, documentary evidence for title to land was not available or was disputed, etc., which indicated that affiliations were granted in a casual manner without ensuring availability of necessary infrastructure. Four out of nine colleges, visited by audit team, were found to be deficient in infrastructure, adequate facilities, library, etc. which underscores the audit observation.
The Registrar stated (April 2008) that affiliations have been accorded in a careful manner as no college had been granted permanent affiliation and infrastructure required to impart education was sufficient. However, status of improvement of infrastructure/up gradation on the cases pointed out was not furnished to audit. Further, the Act does not contain any provision whereunder, temporary affiliation could be granted.
SAD CONCLUSION
The CAG report appreciated that the University has distinguished itself by qualifying for ISO certification. However, there are significant weakness in the control environment relating to academic activities of the University as evidenced by non completion of research projects, delays in declaration of results, issuance of degrees and undervaluation of answer scripts. No emphasis was laid on linking of undergraduate courses to employment opportunities as detailed in the Tenth Plan. Granting of affiliations to a number of Colleges contravened regulation. Accountability is affected as accounts have not been prepared since the inception of the University.
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