Ahmedabad: NSUI National Students’ Union of India and Former Senate Members of Gujarat University, along with Student Leaders, made a Strong Protest with Slogans of “Save Gujarat University, Stop Corruption” .
Despite Demands for Answers on the Matter of Giving Away Precious University Land and various Corruption Issues, the Vice-Chancellor Kept a Doubtful Silence. The Students gave the Vice-Chancellor 72 hours to Take Proper Decisions in the Interest of Students. If No Proper Decisions and Actions are Taken, in the Coming Days, an Aggressive “Save Gujarat University” Movement will be Started out, including College Closures, Dharna and other Protest Demonstrations.
Under the “Save Gujarat University” Campaign, under the Leadership of Gujarat Congress Working President Indravijaysinh Gohil, a Loud Protest with Drums and Music was Staged against a Series of Corruption Cases in the University by Former Syndicate Members, Former Senate Members, Students, and NSUI Members. The Vice-Chancellor was Asked to Answer Questions about Massive Corruption in the University.
It is alleged that Gujarat University allocated 10,000 square yards of land to the Dronacharya Rifle Club of government-appointed syndicate member Ashish Amin. Land worth ₹500 crores in the heart of Ahmedabad was Given for Free to the Organization of Syndicate Member Ashish Amin. This is Cited as a Big Example of a Conflict of Interest—where the Same Person who Demands Land for His Own Institution is Part of the Committee to Allocate University Land. The University will also Construct an Entire World-Class Sports Complex for Ashish Amin’s Institution at Its Own Expense, Even Though Originally the Institution was Required to Build It By Itself.
As Per the Tender Terms, for any National or International Educational or Training Event Hosted by the Institution, Arrangements for Luxury Hotel Accommodation, Lavish Sports Hostel, and Meals for Delegates were to be Made by the Institution. However, this Condition was Changed so that Gujarat University Itself would Bear the Cost.
Similarly, the Tender Condition that the Club Should Set Up a Gymnasium and Other Facilities at Its Own Expense was Modified, and now These Costs will be Borne by the University. Even electricity, Housekeeping, Security, Water, and Drainage Expenses—Originally to be Borne by the Club—will now be Paid for by the University. In Short, a Luxurious Club will be Run at the Expense Worth Crores of Rupees from Gujarat University Funds.
It was also Alleged that a Government-Appointed Syndicate Member of Gujarat University had Demanded a Bribe of ₹75 lakh from a University Official. The Vice-Chancellor was Questioned Why No Police Complaint has been Filed so far Regarding this Incident.
Furthermore, 15,000 Square Yards of University Land Worth over ₹250 Crores was Leased for 11 months to Radhe Enterprise, Ranip, Without Any Tendering Process. It was earlier Warned that after the Implementation of the Controversial Common Act, Democracy in Universities Would End, and the Administration would Start Selling Off University Land.
Another Question Raised was Regarding the Renovation of the Gujarat University Convention Hall, which was Originally Built at a Cost of ₹25 Crores, but later ₹40 Crores was Spent on its renovation. The Vice-Chancellor admitted that ₹35 Crores was Spent. It is As Much As Building a Brand-New Convention Center.
Questions were also Raised about Whether Someone from the Vice-Chancellor’s Family is connection with ONGC and if that is the Reason Certain Individuals have been Placed on High Positions with High Salaries. Several names were mentioned, including:
Srinivas Rao Sureddi (CEO, GU-SEC)
Bishwajit Adhikari (Senior Vice President)
Manasing Rathod (Senior Vice President)
University Chief Accounts Officer Dinesh Kumar
Estate Officer Chandrashekhar Jha
Pawan Pandit, Director, Centre for Professional Studies (CPC)
Raj Chawla (EMRC), Professor of Practice, In-charge Director EMRC (receiving salaries from two posts)
It was Alleged that these Individuals are being Paid Huge Salaries Without Doing Considerable Work, by Replacing Permanent Gujarat University Staff with HIghly Paid Outsiders. In Some Cases, Individuals are being Paid by Two Separate Departments Parallelly For the Same Office Hours—Something Which is Legally Not Viable.
It was also Questioned Whether Gujarat University’s ₹240 Crores FD Fixed Deposit has been Broken, and whether ₹60 Lakhs was distributed as Special Allowances to Certain Staff under the Guise of Examination Duties.
Another Query was Why, Despite an Official Order Stating that the University Sports Complex would be Operated by the University Itself, Private Academies for Badminton and Tennis are Charging Huge Fees from Students using Those Facilities.
The Event was Attended by Gujarat Congress chief spokesman Manish Doshi, Pradesh General Secretary Himanshubhai Patel, Parthivrajsinh Kathwadia, Nikunj Balar, Umakant Mankad, along with Senior Leaders, Former Senate Members, and many Students. In Large Numbers, Student Leaders and NSUI Members Took out Rally Shouting Slogans “Answer Us, University Authorities!”, “Stop Corruption!”, and “Save the University!”.
