No documents submitted for Rs 19 crore in MU: MHRD probe
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 26 2019: An audit team of the Ministry of Human Resource Development has found that documents were submitted by Manipur University for around Rs 19 crore sanctioned by the Ministry as advance payment.

On the other hand, suspended Vice Chancellor Prof AP Pandey purchased a bullet-proof car at the cost of Rs 59 lakh.

An audit exercise carried out by the Ministry at MU recently found that no documents were submitted for around Rs 19 crore collected in advance by different departments, agencies, faculty members, student bodies, project officers, administrative officers and other bodies which organised seminars etc during the past many years.

Meanwhile, MU Administrator Jarnail Singh informed in writing to the Heads of Departments, Deans and all relevant officials on February 25 to submit bills and vouchers and adjust the advances against them.

Financial advances for specific purposes should be utilised and adjusted within 15 days.

Any person keeping advance and not adjusting it amounts to committing temporary misappropriation which attracts penalties under General Financial Rules, the Administrator pointed out.

Saying that keeping the huge amount of advances unadjusted has adverse impact on financial management, Jarnail Singh asked all concerned to complete the process of adjustment of advances by March 31 to the satisfaction of the Finance Officer.

Failure to do so could attract action as provided under the General Finance Rules.

On the other hand, Prof AP Pandey purchased a bullet proof car at the cost of Rs 59 lakh when he was serving as the VC even though no money was sanctioned for purchasing any bullet proof car.

Jarnail Singh wrote a letter to the MHRD Secretary on February 25 informing that the bullet proof car and two Gypsys are at present parked at the Sanjenthong Officers' Colony quarters allotted to Prof Pandey and they are being guarded by CRPF for the past five months.

Pointing out that keeping the bullet proof car unused for a long time could render it un-usable and Manipur University does not need the car as this car would require security guards for its safe custody, the Administrator suggested the Ministry that the bullet proof car could be taken over by the State Government.

If the bullet proof car becomes un-usable, Prof Pandey should be held accountable, Jarnail Singh asserted.

Purchase of the bullet proof car (without funds for the same) is a matter of enquiry and at the same time, allowing the deterioration of asset (bullet proof car) is also questionable, the letter mentioned.

The two Gypsys should be returned to Manipur University but Prof Pandey has not yet returned the keys of the two vehicles.

It then asked the Ministry to give advice on what action should be taken on these issues if neither the State Government takes over the bullet proof car nor AP Pandey return the keys of the two Gypsys.

The Administrator further asked whether he should seek help of State Police/register FIR or take the matter before the High Court of Manipur or any other one.

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