Misappropriation of UGC fund

A CORRESPONDENT

LAKHIMPUR, April 11: Regarding the misappropriation of fund allotted by University Grants Commission (UGC), a case was filed at North Lakhimpur Police Station against the former Principal of Lakhimpur Girls’ College along with other two persons. As per an order served by the Gauhati High Court, UGC filed this case against the former Principal of the college, Dr. Manuranjan Pandit and two members of a construction committee - Debojit Baruah and Robin Kakoti. In the meantime, police stepped up its investigation regarding the case.

The Lakhimpur District Jaswartha Sangram Somiti filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) at Gauhati High Court in connection with the misappropriation of fund granted by UGC, meant for the infrastructural development of the college. The construction of the scheme concerned started in 2011 and ended in 2013 during the term of the former Principal, Dr Manuranjan Pandit. Recently, the Division Bench of the High Court, constituted with Chief Justice Ajit Singh and Justice Monojit Bhuyan, concluded the trial of the case and ordered UGC to lodge FIR against the three persons. As a result of this order, UGC lodged the case against the trio vide no. 297/2018/US- 420/ 409/468/349/IPC.

Significantly, UGC instructed the college authority twice in the past days to repay its allotted fund of Rs. 70 lakh at 10 per cent interest which was granted for the construction of girls’ hostel, classrooms and other infrastructural development.