Why isn’t KIIT University under RTI ambit? OSAA targets former Odisha Advocate General

The Odisha Soochana Adhikar Abhijan (OSAA) has called for the immediate arrest of Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology's (KIIT) University founder and former BJD MP Achyuta Samanta, amid claims of irregularities and a lack of transparency.

Coming down heavily during a press conference in Bhubaneswar, OSAA questioned why the university has not been brought under the ambit of the Right to Information (RTI) Act. 

OSSA Targets Former Advocate General

Launching a scathing on attack on the then Advocate General Ashok Parija, OSAA accused the later of favouring the KIIT University.

When Parija was the Advocate General, a petition was filed regarding this matter. However, Parija himself represented KIIT as a lawyer. The petition was rejected, preventing KIIT from coming under the RTI Act, OSAA rued. 

Besides, questions have also been raised about Parija's simultaneous role as Advocate General and Vice Chancellor of KIIT University, with the OSAA suggesting that this could amount to an 'office of profit'.

“There is no information available about KIIT university in the public domain. Not even the government has any information about the institution. Former BJD government’s ministers, MLAs and leaders are involved in the KIIT irregularities,” alleged an RTI activist, Pradip Pradhan while asking why isn't the Juvenile Justice Act applied to Achyuta Samanta’s KISS (Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences).

No comments could be obtained from the KIIT University officials or the former Advocate General over the allegations of OSAA.

Also Read: Fearing eviction, ex-BJD MP Achyuta Samanta’s KIIT University clears road leading to NIFT

Six KIIT University Officials Appear Before High-Level Committee

Earlier in the day, six officials of KIIT University- Chief Proctor of KIIT University, PK Pattnaik; Senior Hostel Superintendent Sanhita Mishra, Assistant Director Smarika Pati, IC head Ipsita Satapathy, Sidharth Ray from the administrative office and one other person appeared before the High-Level Committee for interrogation in connection with the Nepali girl student death case.

Earlier, the committee had grilled KIIT founder and former BJD MP Achyuta Samanta and seven others in connection with the case.