BJP seeks CBI probe into ‘fiscal mismanagement’ at Delhi varsity
The BJP on Saturday urged the Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) to recommend a CBI investigation into alleged “financial mismanagement” by the AAP government at the Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University (DSEU).
Vijender Gupta, Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, raised concerns in a letter to L-G VK Saxena, highlighting the misuse of public funds and pointing to “questionable expenditures” on consultancy services from 2020 to 2023.
Gupta’s letter also alleged a “massive recruitment scam” at DSEU, claiming that political appointees were placed in high-paying positions without following proper recruitment procedures. He described the state of DSEU as “dire”, stating that the university was “critically understaffed” with only 85 non-teaching staff against a sanctioned strength of 1,700, and 500 teaching staff out of the required 1,600.
He further criticised the infrastructure across DSEU campuses, noting that some lack basic amenities such as water and electricity. Additionally, he targeted the World Class Skill Centre initiative, another flagship programme of the AAP government, accusing it of wasting Rs 500 crore on semi-permanent structures that lack essential facilities.
Gupta also claimed that other universities, including Delhi Teachers’ University and Delhi Sports University, are facing similar issues, with one operating from a school building and the other existing “merely in name”.
In response, the AAP accused the BJP of fabricating allegations to defame the Kejriwal government, especially in light of the recent liquor scam controversy. The AAP dismissed Gupta’s claims as a “poor attempt” to tarnish its “globally recognised education model”, arguing that he is “making concocted stories to please his political masters”. The party also criticised Gupta for allegedly not verifying the university’s budget before citing what they described as a “random” figure, noting that the amount quoted by Gupta exceeds the entire budget of DSEU.
