Shimla, November 4
Mr Arvind Kaul, Chief Secretary, submitted the report of the inquiry conducted by him into the allegations against Dr S.D. Sharma, Vice-Chancellor of Himachal Pradesh University, to the Governor, Mr V.S. Kokje, here today.
According to reliable sources the report has indicted Dr Sharma for various administrative and financial irregularities, blatant misuse of emergency powers and recommended action against him. While holding him guilty of committing serious irregularities in the appointment of teaching and non-teaching staff, hiring accommodation without requirement, spending funds without any administrative approval, the report points out that repeated misuse of emergency powers reflected on the integrity of the person.
It had failed to go into the matter further in view of the fact that an inquiry was simultaneously being conducted into the financial irregularities by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.
The most serious irregularities pertain to the Himalayan Studies Centre and the International Centre for Distance Education and Learning. Some of the appointments were not even approved by the executive council of the university.
Two private buildings, one at Panchkula, owned by a son of Dr Suraj Bhan, a former Governor of the state, and another in Shimla, were hired without any requirement raising doubts about the motive. No procedure was followed in the appointments of Class III and Class IV staff.
The inquiry covered a period of three years and as such some irregularities pertaining to the tenure of the earlier Vice-Chancellor, Dr S.K. Gupta, have also come to light.
Under the statutes of the university the Chancellor could remove the Vice-Chancellor or send him on long leave.
It may be recalled that Mr Kokje had two months ago ordered two separate inquiries into the allegations against Dr Sharma. The report of the inquiry into financial irregularities is yet to be received.
