Visvesvaraya University to spend 1 crore on Foundation Day, Executive Council nod not taken

VTU which faces severe financial crunch has often been accused of spending money unwisely.

A view of Visvesvaraya Technological University campus (Photo | File/ EPS]

BENGALURU: The plan of the Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Belagavi to have a grand celebration of 20 years of its foundation is snowballing into a controversy. About Rs 1 crore has been approved by the Finance Committee for the Foundation Day celebrations, which according to a section of varsity authorities is a sheer waste of students' money. The varsity did not even receive approval for the event from its Executive Council.

"The event is being held only to please politicians. We have heard of silver and diamond jubilee celebrations, but VTU is setting a bad precedent with untimely celebrations. The matter was not even placed before the Executive Council as many members would have opposed the idea of this extravaganza. How can the varsity waste students' money like this?," asked an Executive Council member.

Another member said, "Such matters should be first discussed with the Executive Council members. But, in this case, the highest body of the university was not contacted. We will not vote for it when they place it for ratification after the event."

When contacted, VTU authorities defended its decision. "The Finance Committee has representatives from Executive Council as well. We are placing the same before the council for ratification after the event," said Dr Karisiddappa, vice-chancellor, VTU.

"My term as the V-C is ending in September 2019 and that is also one of the reasons behind the Foundation Day event being held early. I will not be there to celebrate when the varsity completes 25 years," he added.

Past extravaganza

VTU which faces severe financial crunch has often been accused of spending money unwisely. Recently, the varsity had paid around Rs 11 crore just for the foundation stone laying ceremony of the skill centre at Talkal village in Yelburga. A few Executive Council members had then alleged that it was a purely political event and there was no need to spend so much on it.

Reacting to it, V-C Karisiddappa had said, "As there were directions from the state government, we released the amount. It is not that we are spending students' money. By spending Rs 11 crore, we are getting back a property worth Rs 55 crore for students."