Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has demanded removal of Dr KK Katoch from the post of Chairman, Himachal Pradesh Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Commission, Shimla following allegations of misappropriation of funds when he was Vice-Chancellor (V-C) of CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur.
They alleged that he along with Director of Research visited Magnolia in the name of research and academic collaboration without any financial provision and approval.
Taking strong exception, the ABVP has asked Chief Minister and Governor of the state to immediately remove him from the present position.
ABVP state Secretary Hema Thakur said that governor Acharya Devvrat, who is Chancellor also, in a communication addressed to the CSKHPKV Authorities has ordered recovery of 4.86 lakh from the former V-C, which was used by him unlawfully for foreign travel in violation of rules.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) New Delhi, which is a donor agency of Central Development Assistance Grant, has also taken a serious note of this financial misappropriation by Dr KK Katoch and asked University to return the money to the Council with interest, she claimed.
“Katoch’s stint in the University has been full of controversies. He was targeting the University staff on his whims and fancies and on political considerations. During his tenure, there was rise in court cases as he was transferring scientists and staff in violation of rules and initiated disciplinary proceedings against hard working scientists to settle personal scores,” she alleged.