Technical Department forms panel to probe Rs 6L Art College embezzlement

The Technical Education Branch of the Chandigarh Administration has formed a three-member fact-finding committee to fix accountability and responsibility of officials of Government College of Art, Sector 10, Chandigarh, including senior assistant Vinod Kumar in connection with embezzlement of Rs 6.13 lakh.

On July 16, the department had constituted a five-member committee for the same purpose and had asked the members to submit a report and recommendation within two weeks. However, two members, who were from the college itself, had reportedly recused themselves from the committee.

The committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of Manpreet Gujral, principal, Chandigarh College of Engineering and Technology (degree wing)-cum-Joint Director, Technical Education, Chandigarh Administration. Assistant Controller (F&A), Printing and Stationery Department, Chandigarh, Anil Kamboj and Assistant Controller (F&A), Department of Higher Education, Chandigarh Administration, Parvinder Sharma have been inculcated into the committee as members.

According to the order signed by Superintendent, Technical Education on behalf of the Secretary, Technical Education, the committee members have been asked to submit a report along with recommendation and relevant documents by September 15.

Senior Assistant Vinod Kumar, an employee of the college, was suspended on June 18 over the allegation of misappropriation of government funds. Despite memos issued by the drawing and disbursing officer to the college authorities, including principal, regarding non-deposition of funds into the treasury, Kumar was promoted from the rank of junior assistant to senior assistant on February 2.