MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (Dr. SHASHI THAROOR)
(a) & (b) : Yes, Madam. As per the information received from the University Grants
Commission (UGC), it has made certain payments to Patel Memorial National College of
Patiala and Shri Baldev PG College, Varanasi that appear to be unauthorized and
irregular.
(c) & (d) : An enquiry committee headed by Dr. S. Satyam, Retired Secretary, Govt.
of India has been constituted by the UGC to look into the matter, the findings of
which have not been received yet. Simultaneously, two First Information Reports (FIRs)
have been lodged in Indraprastha Estate Police Station. The responsibility for these
lapses can be fixed only after the enquiry committee submits its report and police
investigation is completed.
(e) : As informed by the UGC, it has decided to make systemic changes in its systems
and procedures, and strengthen internal controls. It has been decided to make payment
to Universities/Colleges only through electronic transfers. It is also issuing sanction
letters in triplicate, one along with the Grant-in-aid bill to the bank, one to the
recipient institution along with the covering letter of the concerned bank and the
third copy is returned to the UGC along with the payment voucher for record.