Retired HC judge to probe scam

 Mangaluru: The Mangalore University (MU) syndicate meeting held on Friday, has passed a resolution to conduct a probe by a retired high court judge, with regard to irregularities in solar system, CCTVs and biometrics facilities.

Syndicate member Ramesh K, said that CCTV cameras and biometric systems have been introduced at the MU Campus in Konaje, PG centre in Chikka Aluvara in Kodagu and University College in Hampankatta. Biometrics facilities were installed at the Konaje campus and PG centre in Chikka Aluvara. MU spent a total Rs 2 crore on these. MU also spent Rs 2.2 crore, to install rooftop solar panels at its campus in Konaje, but now it remains defunct. A committee was set up to conduct an inquiry, and it found several irregularities.

Based on the committee report, MU syndicate members had complained to the governor of Karnataka, as well as higher education department. The governor, who is also the chancellor of MU, had directed the state government to take a call on the issue. “The state government’s recent letter stressed for a thorough probe by a former judge of the high court. The same was discussed at a syndicate meeting held on Friday, and the members passed a resolution to conduct a probe by a retired HC judge,” Ramesh said.

The solar probe committee was headed by the director of the computer centre, MU, and six others. The report concluded that the committee has observed that none of the solar lighting installations, and the solar water heating installations were in working condition, except one water heater in the Cauvery guest house. The CCTV probe committee found that many of them were malfunctioning, and were not maintained well. Meanwhile, P S Yadapadithaya, vice-chancellor, said as per the current plan, the university has decided to restore these malfunctioning projects. The first plan is to restore the entire solar system that is not working. Secondly, CCTVs and biometric attendance system will be restored. We will call a tender to fix these facilities at the earliest, he said.

‘Submit land records’

The allegations regarding encroachments on public land belonging to the MU in Konaje and Ashoknagar, was also discussed during the syndicate meeting. Vivekananda Paniyala, advocate and syndicate member, who raised the issue, has requested the MU registrar to submit a detailed report on MU land, during the next syndicate meeting scheduled on March 29. He warned of legal action if details are not provided.