There have been claims of stealing funds from government e-marketplace purchases, as well as the sale of prime university land by an administrative department official with the VC’s patronage.
A year after the controversial VC Bidyut Chakraborty was removed, the Ministry of Education has instructed the University Grants Commission (UGC) to probe widespread financial wrongdoing at Visva-Bharati University. The investigation began after whistleblower Atul Bhargava sent an email revealing substantial irregularities and financial malfeasance in six departments at Visva-Bharati University.
The email, addressed to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the UGC, and the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), detailed the discrepancies in six departments: the private security agency, the Government e-Marketplace, the estate department, the legal cell, the accounting division, and the branch of engineering.
The Visva-Bharati University Faculty Association (VBUFA) claims that these violations took place under the time of Vice-Chancellor Bidyut Chakraborty, who is renowned for his close ties to the BJP. They are requesting “a thorough investigation into every action taken during Chakraborty’s term, as it will expose the full extent of the misappropriation of government funds.”
The most serious claims stem from the private security department, where executives reportedly billed for the salary of non-existent security officers. There have also been claims of theft of funds in government e-marketplace transactions and the sale of key university land by a property department officer, all with the VC’s approval. The university administration has already issued show-cause orders to six departmental personnel.
“The investigation is being performed in accordance with the UGC’s directive. However, I believe that the claims are baseless. We were unable to trace the email’s sender ID. We assume that someone at Visva-Bharati raised these claims without presenting accurate information to the UGC. “We have already started the investigation,” said Ashok Mahato, Visva-Bharati’s acting secretary.
Rajnarayan Mukhopadhyay, Birbhum’s Superintendent of Police, paid a visit to the authorities on Wednesday and discussed the situation. He stated, “The Visva-Bharati campus is an open space.” As a result, discussions were conducted about increasing security, activating the cyber cell, and so on. Complaints have also been submitted with the University Grants Commission (UGC) about widespread financial irregularities in the accounting and engineering departments.
Despite a prior CAG audit implicating multiple Visva-Bharati officials in financial malfeasance, the Ministry of Education has yet to take action. Even the current registrar’s name has been mentioned in the probe.
“There are several examples of corruption at this central university. One case is now under investigation. A unbiased investigation will reveal more,” said Chandranath Sinha, a local TMC MLA and State Minister.
“Visva-Bharati University has been without a permanent Vice-Chancellor for several months. A senior academic member has been named to serve the interim position. I am aware of the corruption charges and the pending inquiry. Rest assured, a comprehensive inquiry will be carried out to discover the facts. Any wrongdoing will be dealt through legal processes,” stated Atig Ghosh, Visva Bharati University’s PRO.
