The state government, which suspended K Venugopal, principal of the R C College of Commerce and Management, Palace Road, pending completion of a departmental inquiry, is reconsidering its decision. Venugopal was accused of violating rules in procurement of computers and furniture for PG courses.
A Government order, dated October 23, a copy of which is with the Express, placed Venugopal under suspension for contravention of Karnataka Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1966. He has been accused of violating the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act, 1999, in a state audit report submitted last December.
Nandakumar B G, Commissioner for Collegiate Education, said, “The order has not been served as the government wants to rethink. It is presently with the principal secretary (higher education).
On his part, Venugopal, a Grade-2 principal, is hopeful that the order will be withdrawn. “The main problem is that there were technical glitches. I have informed the government about this in my letter. All principals were asked to rush the procurement,” he said.
On July 1, Express published a report noting that Venugopal made purchases of computers and related accessories worth `41.39 lakh from vendors through quotations instead of following a tender process as required by the KTPP Act.
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