College in pvt residence: Dept for Vigilance probe

Tribune News Service

Shimla, April 20

The Education Department has recommended a Vigilance inquiry into the complaint pertaining to the opening of Government Degree College, Dhami, Shimla (Rural), in a private residence allegedly built on encroached land.

Following the complaint, the Education Department wrote to the Home Department on Friday to hand over the matter to the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau. Secretary, Education, Arun Sharma recommended an FIR and a Vigilance probe.

“A complaint has been received in which the allegations apparently seem to be of serious nature, so we have written to the Home Department to order a Vigilance probe into the matter,” said Sharma.

The previous Congress regime had announced the opening of a government college at Dhami shortly before the Assembly elections in 2017. The classes were started in a private building owned by a Congress leader and a former District Congress Committee president at 16 Miles. The building of Government Degree College is being constructed close to the place where classes are being run till the new structure is not complete.

The owner of the building, Chander Shekhar Sharma, said his building was legal and during demarcation, no encroachment had been detected. “All this is being done to harass me. The government is free to hold an inquiry,” he said.

The complainant had mentioned the khasra number of only one chunk of land whereas the structure is also on the adjoining land.

Following the change of regime, the Education Department had received a complaint that the building map and other details provided for renting out the premises did not match with the building that had been hired. “It has been alleged that the building from which the college is being run stands on a portion of encroached land,” said officials. Questions have also been raised on the evaluation report furnished by the Public Works Department for assessing the rent. It is learnt that the Education Department is paying Rs 80,000 as rent every month.

Building on encroached land 

• It has been alleged that the building from which the college is being run stands on a portion of encroached land 
• Questions have also been raised on the evaluation report furnished by the Public Works Department for assessing the rent of the building
• It is learnt that the Education Department is paying  Rs 80,000 as rent every month