Department launches probe into Patiala law varsity finances

Ravneet Singh

Tribune News Service

Patiala, May 22

After CAG reports highlighted administrative and financial irregularities at the Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL) here, the Higher Education Department has sought explanation from the Vice-Chancellor. The university is under scrutiny of the office of the Higher Education Minister.

As per documents in possession with The Tribune, the office of Directorate, Education Department (Colleges), has demanded explanation from the RGNUL about its income and expenditure over the years.

Rumours of Vice-Chancellor Dr Paramjit Singh Jaswal having tendered his resignation started doing the rounds, but these could not be substantiated either from the Education Department nor the VC.

The CAG reports highlighted that the RGNUL spent on various particulars without following the process of tendering. The reports questioned the allotment of tenders to ineligible contractors. Interestingly, the matter was later dropped on replies submitted by the university.

In a direction issued on Thursday, the Higher Education Department has sought information about income and earnings of the RGNUL from fee, yearly expenditure on salary since the time of its inception in 2006, and yearly expenses on electricity, water and conveyance.

Meanwhile, as per the university’s response to an RTI application, it spent Rs19.17 lakh on procurement of CCTV cameras and Rs88,476 on their installation without following the tendering process.

The RGNUL has not uploaded any financial statement since its inception; this is mandated by the RTI Act.

Higher Education Minister Tripat Rajinder Bajwa said, “The inquiry is in progress. I am unaware of the VC putting in papers.”

VC Jaswal could not be contacted in spite of repeated calls.