RAJIV KONWAR
April 28 : The CBI has assured Gauhati University that it would complete its probe into multicrore-rupee scam that rocked the varsity in a few months.
The investigating agency was asked to probe into misappropriation of funds related to remuneration of teachers for evaluation of answer scripts and other external duties, purchase of books and other library material worth Rs 60 lakh, siphoning off funds during the construction of the Vidhi Vidya Bhavan.University sources said the CBI’s assurance came after Governor J.B. Patnaik, who is also the chancellor of the university, approached the investigating agency to quicken the investigation process. The university had approached the governor urging him to intervene into the matter following repeated pressure from the workers of the university.
A letter, recently sent by CBI to the university, said the investigation process of the financial scam suffered a setback when a senior post of the investigation agency remained vacant for almost six months, the source said.
“In the letter, the CBI has assured us that it would complete the investigation process within a few months. But it has not given us any specific timeframe. It said it could not make much progress in the investigation as one of its senior posts was lying vacant for six months,” said O.K. Medhi, vice-chancellor of the university.
The employees’ association of the university decided to withdraw their agitation scheduled for today following a meeting with Medhi on Monday.
Besides, demand for early completion of the investigation of the multicrore-rupee scam, their other demands included a probe into illegal appointment of around 20 grade III and grade IV posts and probe into the alleged anomaly in purchasing 75 computers two years ago.
