HAU VC in violation of norms appointed wife as Director of Campus School: Inquiry report, ETEducation
Hisar: An inquiry conducted into the lathicharge on the Haryana Agricultural University (HAU) students and the subsequent agitation has revealed serious irregularities in managing the institution’s affairs.
As per the report, the vice-chancellor of the HAU used his official powers to secure a financial benefit of nearly Rs 50 lakh for his wife.
The inquiry was ordered on Aug 18, by the principal secretary, agriculture and farmers welfare department, and was conducted by the then Hisar commissioner Ashok Kumar Garg.Garg submitted the report in November, shortly before his retirement. The TOI accessed a copy of the report, which contains these disclosures.
During the probe, hearings were held at the registrar’s conference hall of the HAU on Aug 26; on Sept 11, at Vidyut Sadan; and on Sept 18, at the commissioner’s camp office. Clarifications were sought from the HAU registrar, superintendent of police, and the civil surgeon on as many as 63 points.
According to the inquiry report, the VC first re-designated the post of PRO to director, Campus School, to facilitate the appointment of his wife, Santosh Kumari, in the university.
After obtaining a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the education department, she was subsequently made a regular employee of the university. HAU officials attempted to justify the process by citing certain rules, claiming that no advertisement was required for the appointment.
The inquiry report, however, stated that by appointing his wife as the director of the HAU’s Campus School, the VC violated Rule 4(1) of Clause 25 of the HAU Statute, which clearly prohibited any university officer or employee from exercising authority to appoint close relatives.
The report explicitly notes that Santosh Kumari is the wife of VC B R Kamboj.
The inquiry further pointed out that while the retirement age in the Haryana education department was 58 years, the retirement age at HAU was 60 years. As a result, Santosh Kumari allegedly gained an undue benefit of around Rs 50 lakh, including salary, gratuity, and leave encashment, due to the appointment.
The findings of the report have raised serious questions over misuse of authority, conflict of interest, and violation of university statutes, and are likely to have significant administrative and legal implications.
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