Singh: Under fire

Patna, Aug. 13: The state vigilance bureau has been asked to investigate allegations of financial irregularities against Patna University vice-chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh.

“We have been asked to institute a vigilance probe against Patna University VC Shambhu Nath Singh on charges of financial irregularities,” state vigilance department principal secretary Ashok Kumar Chauhan told The Telegraph. He, however, refused to give details, saying it would not be proper to divulge more information as it would affect the probe.

A senior official in the education department confirmed that the vigilance department had been asked to probe charges but he too refused to share more details. Vice-chancellor Singh could not be reached for comments.

The institution of a vigilance probe is another setback for the vice-chancellor, who is already facing court cases related to his appointment. Patna High Court had on August 2 reserved judgment on two PILs challenging the appointment of six vice-chancellors and four pro-vice-chancellors of different universities of the state by Governor-cum-chancellor Devanand Konwar, allegedly without consulting the state government.

The division bench of Chief Justice Rekha Manharlal Doshit and Justice A. Amanullah reserved the judgment after hearing the PILs of Ram Tavakya Singh and another petitioner and the pleas of the chancellor, vice-chancellors and the pro-VCs.

Earlier, in an inspection report of the accountant-general, the vice-chancellor was questioned regarding his eligibility. The entire salary paid to the vice-chancellor “since the date of joining the post until now” was kept under the objection books of the accountant-general. In its inspection report, the accountant-general maintained that the Bihar government has been providing substantial sums to the universities from the consolidated fund.

The vice-chancellor’s decision to conduct entrance tests for admission to undergraduate courses was stopped by the education department. But he managed to push through his plan after receiving the nod from the governor.