Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 16:
In connection with the case of fake purchases worth Rs 8 lakhs in the four Departments of Manipur University, Vice Chancellor of the University C Amuba has clarified that it was due to the demand of 10 percent of the total amount from an underground organisation.
Talking to some mediapersons at his office chamber today, Prof C Amuba disclosed that on receiving a report of fake purchases of chemical and glasswares worth Rs 1.2 lakhs in the Chemistry Department, initiative was been taken up to probe the matter and it finally led to revelation of similar fake purchases in Life Science, Computer Science and Biotechnology Departments of the University as well.
Taking serious note of the matter which came to light during the last week of April this year, a joint meeting of the Heads of Departments and Deans of the University was held on June 8.While seeking an explanation on the matter, the Heads of the four Departments in question responded that it had been done as an underground organisation had demanded 10 percent of the total amount meant for the purchases to be made.
Following the revelation, some of the Heads of the Departments expressed their desire to resign from their respective posts on moral ground, but the teachers have stopped them from doing so, Prof Amuba disclosed, adding that he had also received a submission from the Manipur University Teachers' Association maintaining that no teachers should be victimised on this count.
When asked whether the authorities concerned of the University had ever conducted an inquiry on the fake purchases, the Vice Chancellor informed that no formal inquiry had been conducted as it was possible that reporting the matter to the police or any other investigating agency would have made the whole thing public, which could have disturbed the academic atmosphere.
On insisting on why an independent organisation had not been entrusted to investigate in the matter, the Vice Chancellor maintained that it is a kind of moral punishment for them since the HoDs concerned have been served with a deadline for handing over the goods or the money.
There is transparency in whatever actions that the MU authorities have taken up in this regard and there is no question of any concealment, the Vice Chancellor asserted.
When The Sangai Express contacted the president of Manipur University Teachers' Association, Prof M Ranjit said that they submitted a resolution to the VC to the effect that teachers should not be victimised as there were covert indications that the teachers were going to be the scape goats while those in positions of authority were to be let off easily.
Prof M Ranjit further said that the resolution was adopted after two Heads of Departments were invited as special invitees to the Executive Meeting of MUTA on June 13 and their reports were heard.
After hearing their side of the story, MUTA decided to take a stand against any step that would amount to making the teachers scape goats while those in positions of power and authority would be let off.
The earlier resolution was confirmed again today and the same has been submitted to the VC, he added.