Officials of the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police G.Murugesan, visited Annamalai University here on Wednesday and quizzed the former Syndicate members on the details of the buildings constructed on the campus from 2008 to 2012.
A former member of the Syndicate, who did not want to be named, told The Hindu that the officials confined their questions relating to the buildings that had come up in the university during the above mentioned period.
They asked about the manner in which the planning of and the estimates for buildings were prepared.
During the period in question the university witnessed quite a lot of construction activity as ever new buildings were cropping up on the campus.
Former VC called
The officials had also called the former Vice-Chancellor and the former Registrar for ascertaining the relevant details in this regard.
The sources said that under the Annamalai University Act, 1928 (which has since been repealed after the Tamil Nadu government has taken over the university through the new legislation Annamalai University Act 2013) the institution had a system in place for the construction of buildings.
For instance, its Works Division would do the planning and prepare the estimates.
These would then be placed before the Building Committee and the Syndicate for approval.
The sources said that the role of the Syndicate and the Building Committee ended with giving approval to the building plans and estimates.
Award of tender
Whereas the award of tender would be solely under the discretion of the administration of which the Syndicate and the Building Committee members would have no knowledge.
The Syndicate generally comprises the Deans of all the faculties, plus, nominees of the Governor (in his capacity as the Chancellor), the Pro-Chancellor, the Senate and the Academic Council.
It is not sure whether the DVAC officials are acting upon any specific complaints or under the instructions of the State government.
Slip in estabished procedures
It is alleged that while awarding contracts for the buildings there seemed to be slippages in following the established procedures.
There could be a possibility that the officials could be pursuing the complaints that were levelled against the Annamalai university prior to the take-over.
After collecting information about the buildings the officials are likely to follow it up with the erstwhile administration of the university.
The vigilance officials confined their questions to the buildings that had come up on the university campus during 2008 - 2012
