Jharkhand News : A special audit has begun into purchase, supply, construction and repair works carried out at Ranchi University during the financial years 2022-23 to 2024-25. The Audit Directorate of the Jharkhand Government’s Finance Department has allocated 25 working days for the exercise.
The audit team will examine the university’s financial transactions and related records. The objective is to ensure transparency and financial discipline in purchases, supplies and construction-related works.
Purchases and Construction Works Under Scanner
Questions have been raised in recent times over alleged financial and administrative irregularities at Ranchi University. The special audit will examine purchase, supply, construction and repair works undertaken during the past three financial years.
The audit will involve scrutiny of documents related to financial transactions and the works concerned. The findings will become clear after the audit process is completed.
Irregularities Reported in Nilamber-Pitamber University Audit
Meanwhile, a special audit conducted by the Finance Department at Nilamber-Pitamber University in Palamu has reportedly highlighted several irregularities.
The report mentions delays in the results of the undergraduate 2022-25 session. According to the information provided, the results have not yet been released, affecting around 30,000 students.
The issue of teachers allegedly not receiving payment for evaluation work has also been raised, with answer scripts reportedly not being submitted because of the pending payments.
Questions Raised Over PhD Entrance Examination
Alleged irregularities were also reported in the university’s PhD Entrance Examination 2023, following which students staged a protest. According to the allegations, not a single candidate qualified in several subjects.
There have also been allegations of irregularities and malpractice in PhD research work in the Tribal and Regional Languages Department. A delegation led by former MLA Dev Kumar Dhan had approached the Governor seeking a high-level inquiry.
The Abua Adhikar Manch also submitted a memorandum to the Governor, demanding the formation of a special team headed by a retired judge to investigate the matter.
Questions Also Raised Over Construction and Purchases
Questions have also been raised from time to time over construction and purchase works at Ranchi University. Against this backdrop, the special audit ordered by the Finance Department’s Audit Directorate assumes significance.
However, what specific irregularities, if any, are found at Ranchi University will become clear only after the audit is completed.
Payment Case Mentioned in Nilamber-Pitamber Audit Report
The special audit conducted at Nilamber-Pitamber University in Palamu on the Governor’s instructions also mentions a payment of Rs 2.68 crore to the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India Limited (NCCF).
It has been alleged that Vice-Chancellor Dinesh Singh appointed a preferred person as Controller of Examinations and OSD and subsequently facilitated the payment of Rs 2.68 crore to NCCF.
There is also an allegation that the Controller of Examinations appointed by the Governor was removed before the completion of the term in connection with the payment. Another allegation concerns the continuation of Dr. Shailesh Kumar Mishra as Registrar in an allegedly improper manner.
Questions Over the Examination Controller’s Report
The special audit report states that, following the Governor’s approval, Dr. Ravishankar was appointed as Controller of Examinations for one year.
During his tenure, he submitted a report stating that NCCF had not carried out 13 examination-related tasks. The report mentioned five tasks that were to be completed before the examination and eight after the examination.
The report is cited as the reason why the Rs 2.68 crore payment to NCCF was not being processed. It has been alleged that Vice-Chancellor Dinesh Singh removed Dr. Ravishankar from the post of Controller of Examinations despite the Governor’s order and appointed Ajit Seth to the position.
Gaurav Kumar was also made OSD to the Controller of Examinations. According to the allegations, the Rs 2.68 crore payment to NCCF was made after these changes.
It has further been alleged that Dr. Ravishankar’s report was first removed from the file and replaced with an order issued by Vice-Chancellor Dinesh Singh. These allegations have been mentioned in the special audit report.
