Sambalpur University Corruption Issue: The higher education department is taking away the blame
Sambalpur: Instead of taking concrete action against the former Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sanjiv Mittal, the higher education department has created a stir in the conscious quarters of Sambalpur University authorities. The higher education department has adopted a policy of taking away the guilt.
Former syndicate members, senators, and lawyers have questioned the state government’s silence on the corruption case against the controversial former chancellor of Sambalpur University, Prof. Sanjiv Mittal. Despite repeated letters and demands to take legal action against Prof. Mittal, the government remained silent and warned of day and night agitation on the university premises from September 26. Then, under pressure, Virendra Korkora, the additional secretary of the higher education department of the state government, wrote a letter (39515/17.9.22) to the Chancellor of the university on the 17th, asking for answers to two questions. There were two questions; Has a criminal case been filed against Professor Mittal for financial irregularities? Has any action been taken to recover the money from Prof. Mittal? Not only that, he did not ask the Registrar to report the said letter as very urgent. Regarding the said letter of the higher education department, there has been a reaction in the conscious quarters of the region.
The Department of Higher Education conducted an investigation after it was alleged that Professor Mittal had transferred about Rs 29 lakh from Swachh School Project Campaign Fund to the bank accounts of his wife and son. After that investigation, however, in a dramatic turn of events, Professor Sanjiv Mittal came under pressure and first took a three-term leave and then resigned from the post of Chancellor citing health reasons. The higher education department, however, remained silent. The Higher Education Department itself did not take any legal action against Prof. Mittal, nor did it issue the necessary instructions to the university administration after finding out all the facts regarding the corruption from the investigation report.
The most surprising thing was that the officer who was leading the investigation committee, has now written a letter to the Chancellor of Sambalpur University, asking for an answer as to what action has been taken against Professor Mittal. In response to this letter, the Chancellor of the University Dr. Nirapraj Sahu did not reveal what his reply was, he said, ‘We are waiting for the government’s instructions. We will take necessary action after receiving the instructions.’
