Rs11 lakh donation raises eyebrows

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 21

It may sound strange but Panjab University has received a donation of Rs 11 lakh from Dr Harvansh Singh Judge as his contribution for the renovation of the accommodation of university Registrar Col GS Chadha.

PU Vice-Chancellor Arun Kumar Grover shared this information with the Syndicate here today. The donation has been given to furnish the Registrar’s house.

However, objections were raised in the Syndicate meeting that if such a practice was followed for a particular official in the varsity, a similar situation would arise for all.

The members objected how the donation could be accepted for the renovation of a house and that the authorities should reconsider the decision. The Syndicate members stated that the authorities shouldn’t adopt such a practice.

The VC assured the Syndicts to reconsider the agenda again and table it in the next meeting for approval.

The members pointed out that the committee, which had been constituted to make the recommendation of renovation of the Registrar’s house, stated in its report that as per the appointment letter of the Registrar, duly approved by the Syndicate, unfurnished accommodation was to be provided to him.

“Then how can the donation be accepted for the furnishing of his house,” said the members.

Records revealed that in the last Syndicate meeting, held on November 22 this year, the university had tabled an agenda to shell out around Rs 11 lakh to renovate the accommodation of the newly appointed Registrar GS Chadha, which will be allotted to him on the campus. However, the agenda was rejected.

As per the proposal, the flooring, construction of a modular kitchen and barbed-wire fencing in the house would cost the authorities Rs 6 lakh.

To install a security system in the house, the authorities have proposed to spend Rs 2.26 lakh, while the expenditure for furniture, including a double bed, study chair and table in bedrooms and dining table along with chairs and a five-seater sofa would be around Rs 3.22 lakh.