Three groups representing stakeholders of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) have demanded that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) be given the nod to investigate claims of corruption in construction work at the university, as was revealed by Highland Post today.
In a joint statement, the Meghalaya Confederation for Academic Welfare (MeCAW), Meghalaya Tribal Teachers Association (MeTTA) and NEHU Teachers Association (NEHUTA) said that they took “serious note” of the report published by HP.
“The three bodies are shocked to learn that the CBI sought permission to investigate ‘replacement of feeder pillar in hostel and residential areas’ that involves officials who allegedly violated norms of tendering and especially resolutions of the building committee of the university,” the groups said. “The amount of taxpayers’ money that is wasted by such corrupt practice of violation of rules and norms is a grave and serious mischief which cannot be played around [with].”
Any delay in investigating the matter would amount to hiding and conniving with the officials guilty of corruption, MeCAW, MeTTA and NEHUTA stated.
The groups want to know who granted approval to the inflated work orders. If the Vice-Chancellor was absent, as is “normally” the case, it could have been the Pro-VC, who later became the Chief Vigilance Officer, and that makes the matter an even graver one.
