SHILLONG: Yet another case of wrongdoing on the part of CMJ University Chancellor, CM Jha, has come to the fore after it was revealed that he had fraudulently withdrawn an endowment fund of Rs 2 crore that was meant to finance a portion of the operating or capital requirements of the institution.
Principal Secretary to the Governor’s Secretariat, MS Rao, on Monday confirmed that Jha had withdrawn the amount, while adding that the Governor’s Secretariat has sought information from the Education department on the withdrawal of the endowment fund, since the department is responsible for maintenance of the fund.
It was also revealed that Jha allegedly kept the money for two days so that he could get a bank statement and produce it before the Government as security money.
According to Rao, the Governor has been conveyed about the withdrawal of money and now the Education department is likely to take action against Jha for the fraudulent withdrawal of the endowment fund.
The official also affirmed that the withdrawal of the fun amounted to cheating.
“This money was meant to address this very situation happening today when Government can use the money to refund the students’ fees or take over the University,” Rao stated.
Earlier, the Governor issued fresh directives to the University asking them to comply with papers, norms and procedures by June 10 even as the Governor directed the University to refund all the fees charged, together with interest to the students within 15 days of intimation of the students.
However, the University has not yet replied to the directive even as they have made a representation to the Governor, Rao informed.
CMJ students want Govt to take up their responsibility
The affected students of Chandra Mohan Jha (CMJ) University, who are running from pillar to post being uncertain of their future, have asked the State Government to take up responsibility of the students. The aggrieved students along with the KSU on Monday met the Director of Higher and Technical Education and urged him to take necessary steps to end the turmoil in the University.
Tia Jamir, a student of the University, said, “We had taken admission in the University as the CMJ Act was passed by State Government and since it was recognized by the UGC, and therefore the Government must take the whole responsibility.”
“We are not interested in the problem between the Governor and CMJ University,” he added.
According to the students, the Director has asked them to submit a memorandum regarding their demands to be taken up with the Government higher-ups. KSU education secretary Donald Thabah informed media persons that the students are still in the dark over their future even though the Government has set in process the motion to get the students accommodated in other universities in the State.
Even if they get admitted into other universities, the problems of the students would be far from over as stand to lose one academic year when they join the new university, the KSU leader said. Thabah also said that the Director has assured that the matter pertaining to reimbursement of fees of the CMJ students will be discussed with the higher-ups of the Government.
“The Director assured us that the Education department officials and other universities will chalk out a strategy to accommodate the students,” Thabah said.