Ranchi, Aug. 20: Raj Bhavan today issued a showcause to Kolhan University vice-chancellor Father Beni Ekka while finance officer Vijay Kumar Mishra was sacked yesterday after allegations of financial misappropriation to the tune of Rs 21.53 lakh, barely a week after the varsity’s first anniversary bash on August 12.
Ekka, with Mishra’s connivance, allegedly siphoned the amount from funds dedicated to salary and medical allowances between December 21, 2009, and June 28, 2010. Highly placed sources in Raj Bhavan, requesting anonymity, confirmed this to The Telegraph.
“Ekka is expected to give a written reply or may personally meet Governor M.O.H. Farook who is also the chancellor of universities,” said a senior Raj Bhavan official.
State HRD department records suggest Ekka withdrew medical advances to the tune of Rs 1.5 lakh in two installments in December 2009 and over Rs 20 lakh in 11 installments, subsequently, as a part of salary advances. Sources also disclosed that registrar S.S. Razi had objected to the duo’s activities.
Three days ago, the state human resource development department had also showcaused Ekka, in reply to which Ekka reportedly accepted the charge, and said he was returning the sums in monthly installments, citing he was ignorant of financial rules.
As news spread, students’ outfits reacted sharply to the vice-chancellor’s alleged financial irregularities, demanding his removal. Some also alleged that Ekka was involved in fraudulent acts while heading XISS in Ranchi.
“He should be immediately removed from his post and the governor should institute a probe against him,” said Amitabh Senapati, president, Kolhan unit of Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad. “Ekka’s act is a blot on the education fraternity,” National Students’ Union of India member Rajnish Singh said.
Repeated attempt to contact Ekka remained futile. Meanwhile, A. Sundi of LBSM College, Jamshedpur, has replaced Mishra as finance officer. Mishra will now rejoin his teaching assignment at ABM College, also at Jamshedpur. Teachers and officials of constituent colleges under Kolhan University declined to comment.
