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| SMVDU: A no-go area for people of Jammu | | Jammuites dream varsity mired in corruption, nepotism | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Sept 28: Two decades ago, the people of Jammu demanded establishment of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU). This demand morphed into a massive movement that went on for around two months, with people from all walks of life participating in the movement, which prompted the then state government to enact SMVDU's Act of 1999 which made it a technical and fully residential university. Regrettably, 20 years later, the SMVDU has not only little to boast about, thanks to its authorities that have virtually turned the campus into a hub of corruption and nepotism, it's also a no-go area for the people of Jammu.
"There's probably no department or faculty left in the SMVDU that is not mired in brazen corruption," well-placed insiders in the SMVDU told Early Times. These insiders gave a detailed account of the misconducts taking place in the SMVDU campus for many years.
They said the Vice-Chancellor appears more concerned about the construction activities because lot of money is involved and "he has left no tables unturned by involving his own team like Mr. Shobit who is very close to the VC and he has been allotted work on his terms and conditions." Only the specifications given by Mr Shobit are taken into account so that the work can be allotted to him. "Even the varsity engineer and his team is equally involved in this nexus with the head (VC) taking control of all construction-related works. It is quite a shame that the money donated for the SMVDU is being spent in a wrong way," said sources. "The same can be inquired. If these works are audited, every person involved can be booked for their wrongdoings."
Recently, new hostels have been constructed wherein bricks have been purchased worth more than Rs 2 crore. The order has been given on mere quotations and no tender was called for such a purchase "which shows the malign intention of the competent authority."
Furthermore, many upcoming projects are being allotted to the firm/companies which are in hand in glove with the VC. The best example of the exorbitant rates can be correlated with the construction of drive way for administration block wherein the expenditure has been done to the tune of Rs 27 lakh whereas the same could have been constructed on a much lesser rate. Also, the budget of the newly made 400-bedded hostel was on higher side. Despite making an extra floor still the money was left.
Sources said whenever tenders are called, the works are allotted to the persons who are known to VC and the specifications are made in such a way so that none of the local vendors can participate in the 'Jammu waalon ko kuch nahin aata,' VC tells staff in meetings
"The tenders are opened after the work has been executed by the vendors. Even in the building works committee if some file is not signed by a member may be due to some reason, he removes the person from the committee and appoints another member of his own choice and gets his work done," said the sources.
Additions are being done to the existing guest house of the university wherein two staircases have been made for Rs 62 lakh. Although the work has been entrusted to NBCC, the same man (Mr. Shobit) is involved in the finishing of the same.
Notably, the VC has appointed professors in various departments and there have been cases where only single application has been received for the post and the same person has been appointed despite the fact that in Jammu University for the same case the advertisement was done again because Raj Mayan turned down the request for the appointment of Professors in Jammu University on single application.
"Also, VC is trying to get his own persons on the top positions so that local inducted staff can be harassed. There have been instances where he has reprimanded the locals (staff and faculty) and even threatened them of dire consequences if they go against him. This is totally unjustified as we live in a democratic setup. This should be inquired into before it is too late," said the insiders.
"In promotions too, the attitude of the VC is totally biased. He has divided the staff and faculty on the basis of local and non-locals. Recently child allowance was given to faculty only and not to the staff members. Is this not a biased approach of the competent authority?" said the sources.
They said even the students of the university are demoralized due to the approach of the VC who has turned down despite repeated complaints of the students and threatened them of dire consequences. "One such instance is the change in mess contractors who are providing food which cannot be consumed despite taking an enormous amount on the account of mess charges. Recently many students fell ill due to this food and the matter was hushed by the university authorities," said the sources.
Shockingly, "the VC uses very derogatory language in the meetings and he personalizes issues with the junior staff members. Many a time he has been seen giving remarks such as 'Jammu waalon ko kuch nahin aata' which is totally unacceptable from the chair of higher excellence of learning," said the sources, adding that a thorough investigation should be conducted to expose wrongdoings of the VC who has virtually brought the SMVDU to the brink of closure. |
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