BGSB University sacks two officials as LG office orders probe into ‘financial irregularities’

12 May 2023

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Srinagar, May 12: In a significant development, the authorities at Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU) sacked two officials in a week’s time after the Office of Lieutenant Governor, J&K, ordered probe into the alleged large-scale financial irregularities in the varsity, especially in the whooping Rs 12 Crore TEQIP project.

The probe has been ordered as a special audit report of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir pertaining to Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri, earlier pointed out large-scale financial irregularities in the centrally-sponsored Rs 12 crore TEQIP-III project, besides several other financial matters.

In wake of this, the Registrar BGSBU, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), in an order issued on Friday has stated that the process of Special Audit regarding allegations of Financial Misappropriations, besides verification and audit of Service Books including Pay-Fixation of Permanent, Regular, Superannuated, Deputationist employees including that of Suneet Gupta has been initiated by the University “in pursuance to instructions received from Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat”.

“All the concerned sections are therefore required to keep the relevant data available for perusal of the special audit team,” the order reads.

The probe has been launched days after the authorities at BGSBU relieved a retired official of the University after outcry over his continuation as Dean Academic Affairs (contractual) in the University.

The Registrar BGSBU in his order stated that the outgoing retired official Iqbal Parwez opted to get relieved from the affairs of the University.

“On his own request Prof. lqbal Parwez, Dean Academic Affairs (Contractual) is hereby relieved from the services of the BGSB University with immediate effect,” the order reads.

As per the order Iqbal Parwez shall be required to properly handover the record pertaining to charges he was looking after.

Sources said the retired official was handling the TEQIP project and was told to put in his papers after teachers resumed their strike this week seeking his removal. Notably no official can continue on any administrative position after attaining age of 65. The BGSBU official had attained the age of 70.

As already reported, the Vice Chancellor BGSBU earlier stripped the official of all administrative and financial powers, amid the weeklong strike launched by the teaching faculty of the university.

Prof. Parvez Iqbal retired as Dean Academic Affairs of the varsity in 2018 but he was reengaged as Dean academic affairs, much to the annoyance of the University faculty.

Meanwhile in another fresh order, the BGSBU authorities have shifted Suneet Gupta to Camp office Jammu.

“The Vice Chancellor has been pleased to approve transfer and posting of Sh. Suneet Gupta Joint Registrar to Camp Office Jammu. Consequently, he is relieved of the additional assignment of OSD (Nursing Colleges),” the order reads. Earlier, Suneet Gupta was removed as special secretary to VC following allegations of favouritism and corruption.

“In pursuance to instructions received from Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat, the process of Special Audit regarding allegations of Financial Misappropriations, besides verification/ audit of Service Books including Pay-Fixation of Permanent/ Regular/ Superannuated / Deputationist employees including that of Mr. Suneet Gupta has been initiated by the University,” the Registrar’s new order has stated.

Notably, the Teaching Association of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU) has already called for an indefinite strike over allegations of bungling and the demand for career progression. The strike has been initiated by the university’s teachers, who claim that the institution established in the name of the famous saint Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah is going through a tough phase.

The Vice-Chancellor of BGSBU however has claimed that an inquiry into allegations of financial bungling before his tenure had already been ordered by the office of the Chancellor through the Jammu and Kashmir Finance Department.

Meanwhile, teachers of BGSBU welcomed the decision to sack “tainted officials” and said that will work hand in hand with VC to weed out all corrupt elements.

—(KNO)