Irregularities found in BU computer purchase

An investigation conducted by Raj Bhawanhas revealed irregularities to the
tune of several lakhs of rupees in the purchase of computers by Barkatullah
University (BU). The university had purchased computers worth Rs one crore in
2002, for which no tenders were invited.

Sources say that the pur-chasing committees had verbal agreements in which
they had the prices reduced by an undi-sclosed amount. Treasury and accounts
commissioner GP Singhal had carried out the investigation on behalf of the Raj
Bhawan.

The purchases were made during the time of former head of the computer
science depar-tment Dr RK Pandey. The report had pronounced Dr Pandey as guilty
and added that no norms were adhered to while making the purchases. The report
said that the purchase was not petty and expensive instruments were involved for
which no tra-nsparency was observed in the entire process. The report des-cribed
the whole purchasing process a suspect.

The investigation officer had recommended handing over the case to the
Lokayukt, but so far no action has been taken in this regard. Sources added that
even the Raj Bhawan has issued instructions to BU to initiate action against the
guilty. The instructions added that senior officials of the university be
informed about the incident and a report be pa-ssed on to the Raj Bhawan in a
fixed time period (preferably in a week) but the university authorities had
overlooked these instructions.

Raj Bhawan had summoned the then university Vice Chancellor and Registrar for
overlooking these norms. The Raj Bhawan had demanded information in this case
and other irregularities from the Registrar and Vice Chancellor.

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