VC signs cheques as Finance Officer
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, January 16 2014 : Nine years after its conversion into a Central University, the highest educational institution in the State, Manipur University is today reeling under numerous irregularities in financial and administrative works with the Vice Chancellor allegedly taking advantage of the vacant statutory posts and indulging in discretion.

Manipur University was established on 5th June, 1980 under the Manipur University Act, 1980 (Manipur Act 8 of 1980), as a teaching cumaffiliating university at Canchipur, Imphal with territorial jurisdiction over the whole of the state of Manipur and it was converted into a Central University with effect from October 13, 2005 .

According to a highly placed source, on more than one occasion, the Vice Chancellor has violated the due procedure in the award of works.

In the construction of building for departments of Education and Commerce, the Vice Chancellor violated the Manipur State Government Finance Norms in inviting tenders amounting to above rupees four crores each, the source said.

Maladministration at Manipur University

In fact, the Manipur State Government Finance Norms does not allow the Vice Chancellor to call tenders amounting to more than rupees one crore.

The Vice Chancellor selected the firms arbitrarily under his discretion.

The state government finance norms have been implemented in petty matters such as availing House Rent Allowance (HRA) of the officers and staff of Manipur University, the source said.

Being the sole authority of the university and taking advantage of the vacant post of Finance Officer, the Vice Chancellor gives all administrative approvals to various construction works, sanctions all the bills, as well as signs the cheques which was to be done by the Finance Officer, the source pointed out, adding that as per the University Act., the Vice Chancellor should entrust such financial responsibilities to a competent official.

Moreover, the Vice chancellor issues ordinances from time to time for taking up activities under his personal will.

There has been no appointment to fill up the vacant posts for the last three years.

As per information available from the University, there are post vacancies of 31 professors, 32 Associate professors, 16 Assistant professors and 133 non-teaching posts as on 1st April 2013 .

On the other hand, a number of lower category staffs have been utilized on daily wage basis according to the whims of the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar.

Such temporary appointments have been done without any advertisement and notification and from among the near and dear ones of the Vice Chancellor by violating reservation norms.

The non-appointment of regular posts and utilization of huge temporary staffs have been encouraging bribery and nepotism in the university.

In spite of strong appeals from various circles like the Manipur University Teachers' Association and students' community for filling up the statutory posts included in the Manipur University Act., the authority has not filled up the vacant posts till today.

As for instance, no further actions have been taken up following advertisements for appointment of faculties and officers issued on two occasions i.e.on 9th May 2012 and on 30th November 2013 .

Unlike in any other Universities, there is the Deans' Committee constituted by the Vice Chancellor as a face saving device for the misdeeds committed by him, sources informed, adding that the Deans Committee comprising all the Deans of various schools always meet without any agenda and takes important decisions from time to time, against the provisions of the University Act.

Around two years back the Vice Chancellor of the University acted as the Chairman of the selection committee for promotion/Interview of his wife from the post of Section Officer to Assistant Finance Officer in the Finance Section.

Moreover, the service of the wife of Vice Chancellor has been extended till date even after attaining superannuation.

There were huge financial irregularities in the purchase of laboratory items in the Departments of Chemistry, Life Science, Computer Science and Biotechnology of Manipur University during 2007-2008.Moreover, bills for a number of items amounting to around ten lakhs of rupees were sanctioned without delivering the items.

A two-man enquiry committee (comprising E.Yaima Singh and Kh Dhirendra Singh) investigated the case and the Enquiry report submitted in August 2008 said that there was no fake purchase of laboratory items in that regard.

However, as indicated in a handwritten report signed by the then Pro Vice Chancellor (present Vice Chancellor) of the University, there were fake purchases to meet the demands of some elements.

In the report, the present Vice Chancellor confessed the misdeeds and assured not to repeat such irregularity in future.

The words "Threat" and "Under pressure" have been repeatedly mentioned as the reasons for the fake purchases.

The concerned heads of departments also endorsed the report with their signatures dated 08-06-2007.In spite of getting such a confession report with endorsement by concerned heads of departments, the Enquiry Committee defended the actions of the present Vice Chancellor (who was the Pro Vice Chancellor by then) and claimed innocence of the persons involved therein.

The up gradation of an Associate Professor as the Director In charge of MIMS (Manipur Institute of Management Studies) and his appointment as the member of Executive Committee of Manipur University is against the norms of the University, which provide that the VC nominee must be a full fledged Director.

Moreover, the MIMS which is only an Institute, has been changed into Department of Management Studies by an ordinance in order to serve personal whim of the Vice Chancellor.

Regarding the recent case against its Principal In-Charge Dr.Th.Kullachandra of Manipur Institute of Technology, the Vice Chancellor of Manipur University who was also the Chairman of Governing Body of MIT was responsible for the misuse of funds as he did not deposit the funds of MIT into the general account of Manipur University.

The one man enquiry committee constituted to look into the matter recommended for placing Th.Kullachandra under suspension and for taking up disciplinary action.

However, the Vice Chancellor only removed him from the office of principal in charge and has not yet suspended from service till date, as against the enquiry report.

The functions of the existing Academic Staff College have not been satisfactory in matters of organizing various teachers' trainings as compared to other Indian Universities.

Now even with the change of a new Director, no improvement in the working of the institution is in sight.

In this light of all these maladministration, there is every possibility for degradation of Manipur University into Grade C status as per the NAAC ranking, if the prevailing situation continues in the University.

Besides members from the teaching community, the Executive Committee of Manipur University includes two nominees � one of the President of India and other of the Governor of Manipur from among the native Manipuris.

Known for their integrity and commitment, the two nominees in the Executive Committee of MU have a big responsibility in matters of improving the University.

But whether these two nominees would be able to do anything against the widespread maladministration in the University is another question.