BARIPADA: Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo (MSCB) University authorities have expressed concern over alleged irregularities, and inordinate delays in infrastructure and development works on the campus.
The university registrar, Sumita Singh, has written two separate letters to the Chairman-cum-Managing Director of the Odisha State Police Housing and Welfare Corporation (OPHWC), the executing agency, seeking an explanation over the delay.
According to university letter No. 4542, dated August 25, around `3.89 crore has been spent on constructing iron ramps at various buildings on the campus. However, a technical team found shortcomings regarding their utility, durability and design.
The university has questioned the expenditure, stating that lifts could have been installed at a lower cost and would have been more effective. The large ramps have occupied considerable space, while their design has raised technical concerns.
The university has also expressed apprehension that the iron structures could crumble and deteriorate within a short period. In view of these deficiencies, payment of the remaining amount for the project has been withheld and an inquiry and necessary action have been ordered.
In another letter, No. 4642 dated September 1, the university expressed displeasure over OPHWC’s functioning. Around 35 projects are under construction on the campus, and their completion was scheduled between April and August. Despite repeated extensions, the projects have not been completed and formally handed over. The university has directed OPHWC to complete and hand over all completed projects within seven days. It has also informed the state higher education department.
Incidentally, former senate and syndicate member, advocate Jyotiprakash Rath had raised questions about the ramp construction nearly a year ago and demanded an impartial inquiry.
He had alleged that iron ramps were being constructed at five buildings at a cost of `3.89 crore, despite questions over their usability. He had also questioned expenditure on replacing a bitumen road with paver tiles, and alleged misuse of the university’s reserve funds without government approval.
