SHILLONG: The North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) has debunked the allegations levelled by KHNAM MLA, Adelbert Nongrum, and said that there has been no violation of Act, Statute or Ordinances by Vice-Chancellor, SK Srivastava.
Adelbert, in a petition to the Chief Minister Conrad Sangma last week, had alleged that despite serious statutory violations and financial mismanagement, the Srivastava was still “carrying out his damaging and irregular activities” in NEHU.
However, NEHU, in a statement on Wednesday, clarified that the University has been following the relevant provisions of NEHU Acts & Statutes, Government of India rules and regulations, GFR, etc. pertaining to all administrative/academic/financial matters.
“Further, the vice-chancellor has not flouted the financial rules of the Government of India as the process of the award of tender (10 per cent below) is being followed during the incumbency of the earlier vice-chancellor and the same process is going on till date. Rather, the University is saving some amount of resources by following the existing principle,” the statement said.
With regard to alleged anomalies in the tendering process of construction works, NEHU said that tender for replacing feeder pillars in hostels and residential areas was invited multiple times owing to poor response and also for competitive rate.
“During the third call, response was received from two tenders and work was awarded to the lowest tender for an amount of Rs. 68.06 lakh after negotiation and not for Rs. 69.95 lakh as alleged. Further, the award of work for Rs. 68.06 lakh as against the estimated cost of Rs. 64.86 lakh is within the permissible limit of consideration by the Competent Authority as per duly laid-down rules,” the statement read.
“Thus, such allegations are nothing but an attempt to malign NEHU which affects the overall perception, ranking and image of the premier University,” NEHU said.