CHANDIGARH: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has raised questions about Punjab approving establishment of four private universities and 12 private colleges in Punjab after 2010 "without obtaining mandatory permission for change of land use (CLU) from the competent authority". Lovely Professional University (LPU) too is under the scanner.
It was set up in 2005.
Terming it non-observance of policy and a serious breach of rules, the CAG has pointed out that it has caused the state exchequer a loss of Rs 7.95 crore.
The universities found breaching the CLU policy are
Adesh University, Desh Bhagat University, Guru Kashi University and Rayat Bahra University. Jalandhar-based Lovely Professional University (LPU) has also come under scanner for not obtaining CLU permission till January 2016 .
The auditor has also said that letters of intent (LOI) to eight such "sponsoring bodies with certain clause which were to be complied within two years were given " with "no physical inspection" of institutions and just submission of "compliance report".The CAG has also pointed that seven more private universities had not got their building plans approved. These are Chitkara University, Guru Kashi University, Chandigarh University, Adesh University, DAV University, Desh Bhagat University, Rayat Bahra University.
"Consequently, Rs 4.01 crore and Rs 1.02 crore towards external development charges and licence fee from five universities were not deposited with the Punjab Urban Development and Authority (PUDA). Seven private universities and six private colleges had also not got building plans approved, resulting in loss of Rs 2.92 crore," the report said.
The CAG has in fact cited how promptly the letter of intent was given to Adesh University despite a sub-committee under principal secretary
of higher education not clearing it after physical inspection in July and December 2011.
"The LOI was issued in June 2012 and the university was established in July 2012. The education department admitted the audit observation, but stated that the approval to the university was granted under clause 12 of Punjab Private Universities Policy, 2010. The reply was not tenable as no written reason was found recorded in the approval file of this university," the report said.
The report has also cited the case of DAV University in Jalandhar, saying that despite "the proposed building being under construction till July 2013", "quotations invited by the sponsoring body was taken as evidence in support of purchase of books worth Rs 50 lakh".