Early Times Report
jammu, Nov 24: The Vice Chancellor of Jammu University is demanding House Rent Allowance (HRA) for staying in his own house in place of the palatial VC's lodge.
"Such a demand coming from the Vice Chancellor, which is highly celebrated and revered position, has lowered the esteem of the post" said a senior officer of the Jammu University pleading anonymity. The demand has mused senior officers in the civil Secretariat also.
JU VC had chosen to stay in his private house in a posh locality of the city rather than shifting to VC's lodge situated on the campus. The move has come under sharp censure from within the university as presence of the Vice Chancellor on the campus may prove crucial in case a contingency arose.
"A university is like an academic township and a palatial lodge is constructed for the Vice Chancellors in all universities so that the heads of the institutions also live in the same town as the head of the family" said another senior officer of the University.
The VC's lodge on JU campus is situated at the most picturesque location of the city, overlooking meanders of Tawi and revered temple of Bahu Fort. Besides, JU shells out handsome amount every month to maintain the lavish lodge that has ten rooms beside a huge lounge, lawn and modern amenities. Security staff, gardener, cook, plumber and electrician have been engaged to keep the VC's lodge intact at all times. "While salary for the staff is being paid from the JU exchequer even though VC is not staying in the bungalow, he has now sought HRA for staying in his own private house, which shall further bleed the exchequer" said a top source in JU.
Meanwhile, student leaders have demanded that the VC's lodge should be converted into Girls hostel as many outstation girls have been denied accommodation in university hostel and are impelled to stay in PG or rented accommodation. "Over 30 girls can be accommodated in the VC's lodge and if the incumbent VC is not interested to stay in the bunglow, why should it not be converted into Hostel for girls?" questioned a Scholar of the university. |
