The Delhi University (DU) has drawn flak from several quarters after it constituted a 13 member committee comprising DU officials and faculty members to address the “audit paras” of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) report including the one that puts terms of appointment of the Registrar of the Delhi University (DU) under the scanner. It has also raised other irregularities including the financial ones in CU in its audit paras.
A 10 member committee was formed on 6 March with TS Kripanidhi , the Treasurer of DU as its chairperson , while three members were added later on under alleged pressure from several sections. Ironically, with the majority of members on board being either DU officials or faculty members, the committee is allegedly unlikely to act in a “free and fair” manner when the “high and mighty” is in the docks, said a member of the committee.
“The constitution of committee is of such a nature that it is most likely to act under the “pressure” or “influence” of high offices of the University”, the member said pleading anonymity. Another member said that “50 audit paras or objections are in the mandate of the committee which will have its second meeting on Friday at the office of Finance Officer”. He admitted that irregular appointment of Registrar is also in the mandate.
The CAG audit says that there is “Irregular treatment of the post of Registrar on Deputation basis”. In the inspection report on the accounts of DU for year 2014-16 (certified copy of which is with the reporter) the CAG audit observed that the “recruitment method which was adopted for the appointment of Registrar was through open selection basis and was not on deputation basis. Thus, the treatment of the post of Registrar on deputation basis as modified was irregular and reflects only to the benefit of the individual for the purpose to grant deputation allowance and other recruitment benefits”.
“The officials who are subordinate to the Registrar or faculty members having cordial relations with Registrar and who may have some vested interest have been placed in the committee. In such a condition there are chances of both fear and favour and it is more likely that some members of committee will try their best to save the face of University by saving the Registrar,” he said.
The CAG audit report mentions that the Registrar was appointed against the advertisement No. 251 dated 18.12.2014 for which a meeting of the Selection Committee for recommendation of appointment to the post of Registrar was held on 14.02.2015 wherein out of the 37 candidates, one candidate was selected for appointment as Registrar. The audit further says that an offer letter dated 14.02.2015 was issued by the university which was accepted by the Registrar and reported for duty on 14.02.2015.
However, it has been noticed in the audit that University of Delhi vide O.O. No 52 dated 17.02.2016 modified its earlier order dated 17.02.2015 and treated the appointment of Registrar, DU, for a term of five years w.e.f. 14.02.2015 on deputation basis.
Earlier about a week ago, Tarun Das, Registrar of DU while talking to The Pioneer said : “Do you think it will be fair on my part to comment on this matter. I am holding a responsible position and it would not be suitable for me to comment on this,” he said.