A two-member audit team from Accountant General (AG), Odisha arrived at Berhampur University on Monday to examine irregularities in general and social sector audit related to an e- Governance project.
The e-Governance project, a brain-child of former vicechancellor of the University Prof BK Sahu, was implemented at a cost of ` 2.88 crore. However, it failed to yield desired result.
Under the project, only computer and other hardware were installed without proper design and integration of services. Without verifying the details of the firm, order was placed with Dimension Innovation Labs Pvt Ltd, Trivandrum, Kerala, after the Syndicate of University gave its approval. Sources said as per an agreement signed by the University with the firm on January 21, 2008, the former agreed to various proposals tabled by the firm which usually does not happen. Following the agreement, inexperienced vendors got chances of installing and implementing sophisticated services.
Thus, they were unable to integrate applications and services. Besides, supervision on the part of the University was not effective even though a Technical Committee and an Apex Committee were formed for the purpose. Following complaints of mismanagement and poor implementation of the project, Government formed a one-member committee headed by MS Padhi, former Secretary, Higher Education, to look into it. Padhi visited the University several times to take stock of the situation and submitted his report in this regard. However, suggestions of the report were not adhered to.
Thus, AG, Odisha in a letter informed present Vice-Chancellor Prof Deepak Behera, to provide all logistics to the team that would carry out auditing from December 16 to 20. Meanwhile, Behera has issued directions to officials to make necessary preparations for the audit. Sources said there is a wasteful expenditure of more than ` 7.5 crore by Utkal, Sambalpur and Berhampur universities.