Ahmedabad: The controversy over alleged financial irregularities at Gujarat University (GU) involving former vice-chancellor Neerja Gupta intensified on Wednesday, with the university stating that she had resigned as the principal investigator (PI) of the centrally sponsored Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) and returned Rs 14.6 crore to the university.
After expenses incurred under the scheme were accounted for, Gupta returned the remaining Rs 14.6 crore to the university by demand draft. The university subsequently deposited the amount in a newly created PMJVK account on Sept 10, Joshi said. An audit of the expenditure of about Rs 2 crore will be conducted, and the report will be submitted to the university. Meanwhile, 10 temporary appointees at GU have reportedly been suspended following the recommendations of an inquiry committee examining alleged irregularities that caused financial losses to the university.
The protesters brought a garland made of fake currency notes to symbolically register their protest. However, as the registrar’s office was closed, the activists entered the office and placed the garland on the vacant chair. Those suspended include senior officials associated with Gujarat University Startup and Entrepreneurship Council, Institute of Defence Studies and Research Foundation, and Atal Incubation Centre.
Gujarat University, Ahmedabad On Wednesday, NSUI activists reached the university office to protest against Patel and reiterate their demand for his resignation.
The university’s audit and inquiry processes are expected to determine financial and administrative responsibility for the matters under scrutiny.