JAMMU: Guided by coterie of ‘Darbari Faculty’ sans visionary goals, the authorities in Jammu University has allegedly gulps down nearly ₹26 crore on peanuts activities which not only are incompatible with varsity level but also observed by majority academicians as ‘excursion trips’ on government exchequers.
To everyone’s surprise, the university preferred to choose projects like mushroom cultivation, baskets making using much talked bamboo, mountaineering climbing and many more shoddy projects which sadly failed the purpose for which ₹33 crore was released, said one Professor preferring anonymity.
Raising big question mark on the genuineness of about ₹26 crores Utilisation Certificates (UCs) submitted to the RUSA, sources in JU reveals “In contradiction to the submitted DPRs, the major part of the first instalment has been utilized to showcase activities which yields “nothing” for the stake holders”
The university was sanctioned ₹100 crore in July 2018 under RUSA-II, and it has already received the first instalment of ₹ 30 crore in the month of Dec, 2018 in addition to ₹3 crore contribution by the UT J&K Govt.
Highly placed sources in JU disclosed that the varsity authorities in absence of availability of meaningful projects preferred to utilize RUSA funds in hush hush manner on futile activities in deviation of the submitted DPRs. Nearly ₹ 2.6 crore was distributed among around 130 NET scholars whereas as per UGC only NET JRF scholar is eligible for scholarship worth ₹35,000.
Not only this, the authority in JU also devised a noble way to empty the first instalment of sanctioned RUSA II funds by offering amount ranging from ₹2 to ₹6 lakhs on so called “ Research Projects”. This money was distributed to some teachers of the University to complete the proposals submitted by them but the sources revealed that nothing on ground has been done for such projects. This needs to ascertained that why the University wasted this money when there are ample of agencies who finance the fruitful research projects. Even the huge amounts worth crores which was sanctioned to several PG department for purchase of gadgets and equipment are under gaining criticism in the varsity.
Terming this initiative as plunder of Govt exchequers, an officer of Registrar office said “There are several scientific organisations like UGC, DST, CSIR, ISRO etc. Who generously funds worth crores to any of the faculty who owns capability and substance in the submitted project”. No one at varsity level can pursue fruitful research with just ₹2 to 6 lakhs, the officer added adding that the LG office must scrutinize the research projects of those faculty members who were favored with this paltry amount on the name of “Research.”
Divulging more details the sources in JU said “Upgradation of syllabus as per the market and job oriented needs and bring excellence in research and academic were the main thrust areas for releasing funds to JU. However, the way huge amount has been spent carelessly gives one an impression either those entrusted the job were incapable or they holds expertise in fund utilisation sans productivity”.
Majority of the varsity academician also voiced their concern over the paltry activities selected by the JU authorities under the project Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. They termed it as a mockery of Institution of Higher Education where lakhs goes down the drains by showcasing activities like making Bamboo products and mushroom cultivation under Skill Development and Entrepreneurship programs.
The students in private varsities across the India are doing wonders with their valuable inventions and innovations in science and technology whereas in JU the authorities still busy in training PG students about making tokri, bangles and ear rings. These are being made in abundance by skilled illiterate artisans in villages and the Department of Handicrafts and Handlooms already there on job, added the sources.
Expressing concern over the ruthless use of RUSA funds for non-productive tasks, one former Vice Chancellor of JU on condition of anonymity said “UGC has selected JU for huge ₹100 crore grant under RUSA II on the basis of A+ accreditation by NAAC. Now, incumbent head need to uphold this prestigious tag by ensuring utilisation of these funds on meaningful projects and activities not below the varsity level.
“If there are allegations of corruption and misappropriation came flying thick and fast against the use of ₹33 crore RUSA II fund, its obligatory for the LG office to handover the matter to some investigating agency to settle the dust once for all” he added.
Meanwhile, the letters dashed by former Commissioner-Secretary Higher Education to NIT, Srinagar and IIM, Jammu for devising ways and means for audit of funds released under RUSA II vis viz its outcomes to varsities in Srinagar and Jammu respectively has yet not seen the light of the day.
Brushing aside all allegations as “baseless” Prof Naresh Padha, Dean Academic Affairs JU said “Under the leadership of V-C Prof Manoj Dhar, RUSA fund are consumed in best conservative and optimum manner for the purpose it was sanctioned for”. Replying to paltry amount sanctioned to several faculty members, Prof Padha said “The idea behind the move is to provide an impetus to the young teachers of varsity in their endeavours towards research activities.”