All Karnataka varsities tainted? Minister alleges scams amounting to ₹500 crore
Synopsis
Higher Education Minister claims scams have occurred in most universities in the State. The government has constituted committees to investigate malpractices. Universities are reportedly not using their available resources efficiently.
In a statement bound to generate shock, Karnataka Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayareddy has said that scams amounting to more than ₹500 crore have been uncovered in most of the 17 universities in the state since the Congress came to power in 2013. The minister was speaking to mediapersons in Bengaluru on January 17.
"Scams have happened in almost all the universities in Karnataka. We are investigating that through committees headed by the respective district deputy commissioners. We will come to know soon about the quantum of scams. The government takes action as soon as it gets reports from the committees," he said. These committees comprise a zilla panchayat finance officer and officials of Revenue Department. The minister said more investigations will be taken up in phases and cases will be registered.
Rayareddy also stated that universities were not facing shortage of funds, and that some universities had deposits worth hundreds of crores of rupees. He accused the university administrations of not using their resources properly and efficiently. He added that tender rules have been followed and lot of irregularities were found in building construction contracts alone.