Ex-councillor demands probe into Karnatak University tenders

The Times of India: Hubli-Dharwad: Saturday, July 07, 2012.

Former councillor in Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation Iresh B Anchatageri has urged governor H R Bhardwaj, who is also the chancellor of the Universities in Karnataka to initiate a probe into the alleged irregularities by Karnatak University vice-chancellor H B Walikar in purchase of pre-printed marks cards and passing certificates for the academic year 2011-12.

In a letter to Bhardwaj, Anchatageri said the information received by him under the Right to Information (RTI) Act has revealed that Walikar approved tender worth Rs 50 lakh to purchase 2 lakh copies of pre-printed mark sheets and certificates and placed order to the bidder Maddala Industries, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, in violation of norms.

"On perusal of the information furnished under RTI, it appears that earlier the cost of the purchase of per pre-printed marks sheet was Rs 2.25 for the year 2007, Rs 1.97 for 2008, Rs 1.95 for 2009, Rs 1.20 for 2010 and the rates varied from time to time and the variation was comparatively not too high. But for the year 2011, when the tender was allotted to single bidder Maddala Industries, the accepted rate for purchase per marks card was of Rs 25, which was highly exorbitant, the letter said.

Anchatageri, quoting the records said alleged that the allotment of tender to Maddala Industries was made despite opposition from the finance department as well as the examination section.

It was not even by the accepted by the Controller, state accounts department, Bangalore, he said.

Anchatageri alleged that the information obtained under RTI also leads to the doubt that Walikar had not followed the mandatory provisions of law and the procedure to be followed in issuing the order for supply of materials.

Anchatageri charged that the entire episode indicates that the VC had acted in an arbitrary manner and caused great financial burden on the University. The vice-chancellor had also allegedly arranged for immediate payment to the firm and avoided taking prior approval of the University syndicate for such a major financial transaction.