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| Illegal appointments and bungling in SKUAST-J | | Termination for Labourers, ‘indicted’ official gets promotion | |
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Jan 1: The popular saying “different set of norms for different set of people” aptly suits to administrative functioning of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Jammu which remained as centre of controversies in recent past.
While the university authorities terminated the services of about 296 contractual and about 100 contractual employees about three months back after alleged bungling and illegal appointments being made during the tenure of former Vice Chancellor, Nagendra Jamwal came to light, the higher rung officials, who had allegedly embezzled the funds, were rather given “promotions” and “shielded” due to their “good links” in the corridors of political and bureaucratic set up.
In a glaring example of “favoritism” and “nepotism,” an official has occupied a reputed position in the institution despite the facts that he was charge-sheeted by the university administration in 2003 following his alleged involvement in irregularities in purchase of equipments and giving “undue pecuniary” benefit to suppliers.
Sources said that the existing Director Research SKUAST-J, Dr N A Sudhan was charge-sheeted in 2003 by the then Registrar, A R Nazki on the directions of the then Vice Chancellor, H U Khan when he was Associate Dean FVSc. & A.H.
As per the official documents available with the Early Times, Dr N A Sudhan was charge-sheeted when he had placed a supply order for two Automated Blood Gas Analyzers vide number AU/FVSJ/Acctts/02-03/5794-5800 dated 13.03.2003 purportedly on the basis of rate contract approved by the Central Purchase Committee vide number AUJ/DR/CPC/4358-65 dated 13.03.2003
The documents suggested that the said supply was incomplete both in respect of financial terms as well as details of the equipments/standard accessories to be supplied by the suppliers. “Taking advantage of this lapse on the part of Dr Sudhan the suppliers did not supply most of the standard accessories or supplied short expiry consumables resulting into rendering the equipments in-operational in absence of the same,” the documents revealed.
Sources further said that the basic indent was placed for purchase of only one Automated Blood Gas Analyzers (ABGAs) but Sudhan had placed orders for supply of two ABGAs with “ulterior” designs. “The equipments supplied was not found as per the approved specifications but despite that payment of both the equipment costing Rs 4.50 lakh (approximate) each was released by Dr Sudhan which resulted into loss to the university to the tune of Rs 9 lakh (approximate). The funds were released to extend undue pecuniary benefits to the suppliers,” informed sources.
The documents further revealed that Dr Sudhan had constituted two separate Verification Committees for verification of the equipments as a result of which these committees functioned in isolation and without coordination with each other resulting into clearance of payment for one unit and withholding of payment of other one although the approved one was also not as per the specifications.
“He had purchased the equipments without financial sanction and availability of funds, just to extend undue pecuniary benefits to suppliers,” maintained sources and added, “the supply order for ABGAs was placed on March 13, 2003 when no budget was available and no financial sanction was issued. Necessary sanction and budget was released on March 30, 2003 whereas the supply was reportedly received, inspected, bills verified and stock entry made on March 26, 2003.”
Official sources said that an inquiry had been ordered against Dr Sudhan under rule 33 of Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956 read with SKUAST statues on April 10, 2003, suspecting “embezzlement” and “misappropriation” of university funds. “The inquiry report has remained elusive till date and no action was initiated against the official. Instead, Dr Sudhan has been elevated to the post of Director Research,” sources lamented.
However, repeated attempts to contact the Vice Chancellor, B L Mishra over the issue proved futile and he was not available for comments.
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