UP guv orders inquiry against Agra University vice-chancellor – Times of India

LUCKNOW: Governor Anandiben Patel on Monday appointed a retired Allahabad high court judge Ranjana Pandey as the inquiry officer to go into serious complaints of financial and administrative irregularities levelled by certain individuals against the Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Agra Vice-Chancellor Prof Ashok Kumar Mittal. Mittal was relieved of his duties with immediate effect till the completion of the inquiry. Lucknow University vice-chancellor Prof Alok Rai has been given additional charge of Agra University to continue its functioning.

In a communique from Raj Bhawan, additional chief secretary to the governor Mahesh Kumar Gupta said, Mittal is accused of indiscipline, financial and administrative anomalies. Also, during the review meetings held by the governor from May 31 to June 2, Mittal was found unprepared on the reference points raised by Patel. The replies given by him during the review meeting were found unsatisfactory, Gupta said.

The terms of reference are to inquire into appointments done by bypassing the rules, not adherence to the objections raised in the audit, inadequate action on cases pending at high court, failure to provide degrees to students’ on time, and giving unnecessary overtime honorarium to employees, all of which is indicative of his lax and indifferent behaviour as head of an institution, the note from Raj Bhawan stated.
A former judge along with Prof VK Pathak, vice-chancellor, Chhatrapati Sahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur; and Prof Surendra Dubey, vice-chancellor, Sidharth University, Kapilvastu will probe charges against the Agra university VC and submit its report within one month.