Sharmili Mallick

Bhubaneswar: Chancellor of Universities and Governor Ganeshi Lal has directed Chief Secretary AP Padhi to conduct a Vigilance inquiry into allegations brought against the Vice-chancellor of Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), Surendra Nath Pasupalak by the former assistant registrar of the varsity.

Besides, the Governor has also asked the Chief Secretary to submit the inquiry report within six weeks.

The Ex-Assistant Registrar of OUAT, Pramod Kumar Jena had earlier brought corruption charges against the VC in recruitment and manipulation of records of the university for his personal benefits and submitted the same to Minister for Agriculture and Panchayati Raj and Pro-Chancellor of OUAT, Pradeep Maharathy.

In a letter to the Chief Secretary, the principal secretary to the Governor stated, “Minister for Agriculture and Panchayati Raj and Pro-Chancellor, OUAT forwarded two petitions as received from PK Jena, Ex-Assistant Registrar of OUAT, alleging manipulation of records by Pasupalak for personal benefit, erroneous advertisement in recruitment for Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK)s of OUAT, manipulation of records and abuse of position for undue personal service benefits.”

Meanwhile, PK Jena alleged that in order to get full pension, Pasupalak manipulated records and during recruitment, jobs were offered to persons having educational qualification totally different from what mentioned in the job notification."

“The Chief Secretary’s attention has been drawn into the matter and I hope appropriate steps will be taken in this regard,” added Jena.

On the other hand, Pasupalak feigned ignorance into the allegations and chose to avoid speaking into the matter.

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