Mangalore University admits to misuse of Rs 7 crore RUSA funds: Report
Mangaluru: The Mangalore University has reportedly admitted to the misuse of funds amounting to Rs 7 crore released by the Central government under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA-I) for the construction of boys’ and girls’ hostels.
According to a report in Deccan Herald on Wednesday, the university, in a reply to the Karnataka State Higher Education Council (KSHEC), stated that the utilisation certificate submitted earlier to the government was false.
As per the university’s institutional development plan, Rs 7 crore had been released for constructing separate hostels for boys and girls. However, during an inspection by an expert committee constituted by the KSHEC, it was found that no construction work had taken place. The funds were disbursed between 2013 and 2017 under RUSA-I. The University, in total, had received Rs 20 crore for the project.
Committee members were reportedly shocked to find no hostel buildings on the campus. When asked to produce relevant documents, university authorities allegedly attempted to mislead the team by claiming that the funds had been diverted for the construction of an international hostel instead.
Interestingly, the utilisation certificate submitted to the Higher Education Department, cited by DH, had claimed that both boys’ and girls’ hostels had been constructed.
The issue was subsequently placed before the State Project Director (SPD) meeting, chaired by the Principal Secretary of the Higher Education Department. Following deliberations, a show-cause notice was issued to the university authorities.
The Higher Education Council also recommended recovery of the funds misused by the university and also to impose penalties.
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RSS man's defamation case against Rahul: Key witness unavailable, hearing adjourned to Dec 20
Thane (PTI): A court in Bhiwandi in Thane district on Saturday adjourned the hearing in the criminal defamation case filed against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi by a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker to December 20 due to non-availability of a crucial prosecution witness.
Advocate Narayan Iyer, counsel for Rahul Gandhi, confirmed the adjournment, stating that the witness, Ashok Saykar, currently Deputy Superintendent of Police in Barshi in Solapur, could not remain present due to personal reasons.
Saykar's evidence is now likely to be recorded on December 29.
His testimony is considered key because he, as police sub inspector in 2014, conducted the preliminary inquiry into the private defamation matter under Section 202 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
It was on the basis of Saykar's submitted report that the court subsequently issued process (summons) against Rahul Gandhi under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The criminal defamation case was filed by local RSS worker Rajesh Kunte following a speech given by Rahul Gandhi at an election rally near Bhiwandi on March 6, 2014.
The case stems from the Congress leader's alleged statement that "the RSS people killed (Mahatma) Gandhi."
The matter is being heard by Bhiwandi Joint Civil Judge, Junior Division, P M Kolse.
The hearing had previously been adjourned on November 15 after the complainant's counsel, Advocate Prabodh Jaywant, moved an application seeking permission to examine Saykar, who had submitted the probe report to the court.
The matter was originally scheduled for November 29 but was deferred to December 6 after Rahul Gandhi's legal team sought an adjournment citing their non-availability. The proceedings will now resume on December 20.
