SPU threatens to drag HPU to court over non-release of Rs 3.5 cr

Tribune News Service

Dipender Manta

Mandi, February 24

Anupama Singh, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Sardar Patel University (SPU), Mandi, has threatened to drag Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla, to court over the non-release of Rs 3.5 crore collected as levy by the HPU.

The Pro VC also accused the state government of giving a step-motherly treatment to the SPU.

Anupama Singh held a meeting of all the higher officers, deans and heads of departments at the university’s auditorium on Friday to discuss important issues and take decisions.

Talking to The Tribune, Anupama Singh said, “The first decision was taken at the meeting that the university’s executive council meeting would be held on March 7. It is a known fact that due to the indifferent behaviour of the government, the meeting of the finance committee had not been held for the past 1.5 years. The meeting of the executive council could not be held for almost one year, whereas at the HPU, executive council’s meetings are organised twice a month. Efforts have been made in this regard, but the government’s attitude towards the SPU has not been positive.”

“After discussing the second major issue, it was decided to approach the court to take back about Rs 3.5 crore from the HPU. It is noteworthy that for the past two academic sessions, an amount of about Rs 3.5 crore was collected as levy by the HPU from the B.Ed students of the SPU during the admission process, but it was not transferred to the SPU. The university took up the issue with the Honorable Governor, but despite tireless efforts, the amount has not been transferred. Now, the SPU is left with the only option of going to court,” she said.

The Pro VC said, “Examinations were conducted for the 25 posts of JOA (IT) at the SPU by a reputed national agency, but the state government has not allowed the university to declare the results. The exams were held in October last year. The applicants frequently ask about the results. I met the Secretary, Higher Education, in this regard, but to no avail. The land transfer issue of the SPU is hanging fire due to apathy of the state government despite depositing Rs. 30 lakh for forest clearance.”

“At the meeting, it was also decided that the SPU will conduct all entrance examinations from the upcoming academic session. The SPU has successfully conducted the entrance examination for JOA (IT) posts and necessary arrangements will be made to conduct all the entrance examinations,” the Pro VC added.

Issue was taken up with Governor

At the meeting, it was decided to approach the court to take back about Rs 3.5 crore from the HPU. For the past two academic sessions, the HPU collected Rs 3.5 crore as levy from B.Ed students of the SPU during the admission process, but it was not transferred to us. We took up the issue with the Governor, but to no avail. Now, the SPU is left with the only option of going to court. — Anupama Singh, PRO Vice-Chancellor of Sardar Patel University

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