Atishi directs ‘inquiry’ in irregularities in 12 DU colleges

Delhi Minister Atishi [File Photo]


AAP leader Atishi has asked the Secretary of Higher Education to institute an inquiry into the alleged irregularities in 12 colleges under the Delhi University (DU) funded by the city government.

In a note to the Secretary on Friday, the minister alleged that there are major procedural irregularities in the 12 colleges while stating that these colleges appointed a staggering 1,897 employees including 939 teaching and 958 non-teaching posts without GNCTD approval, violating clearly established government procedures and rules.

Atishi directed to identify and take strong action against Principals and officials responsible for creating “illegal posts, including recovering salaries since 2015 of illegally appointed staff members”.

“Contracts worth crores have been executed for security and sanitation work without following the GFR. Basic accounting norms of book keeping and provisions of the ‘pattern of assistance’ for the release of grant in aid approved by the Directorate of Higher Education, Government of Delhi too have not been followed,” she wrote.

The minister sought strong action against the officers “violating” GFR provisions while executing contracts.

“The funds provided to these colleges is public money. The government is accountable towards the taxpayers, which means it has to ensure that every rupee of the public exchequer is spent transparently, judiciously and as per the established procedures, which these colleges have been flouting repeatedly,” she said.

The minister added, “These colleges are funded by the public exchequer. Therefore, must be held accountable for any misutilization of funds.”