Ahmedabad: The controversy over alleged financial irregularities at Gujarat University (GU) involving former vice-chancellor Neerja Gupta intensified on Wednesday, with the university stating that she had resigned as the principal investigator (PI) of the centrally sponsored Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram ( PMJVK ) and returned Rs 14.6 crore to the university.




According to GU in charge vice-chancellor Jagdish Joshi , a grant of Rs 16.5 crore had been deposited in the PMJVK account operated by Gupta in her capacity as the scheme’s PI. Gupta submitted her resignation by email to the registrar on Aug 11.




After expenses incurred under the scheme were accounted for, Gupta returned the remaining Rs 14.6 crore to the university by demand draft. The university subsequently deposited the amount in a newly created PMJVK account on Sept 10, Joshi said. An audit of the expenditure of about Rs 2 crore will be conducted, and the report will be submitted to the university.




Gupta completed her three-year term as GU vice-chancellor in July but continued as the PI of the centrally sponsored scheme.








The development comes amid allegations by the National Students’ Union of India ( NSUI ) of financial irregularities during Gupta’s tenure as vice-chancellor. NSUI has also been demanding the resignation of GU in charge registrar Piyush Patel .




On Wednesday, NSUI activists reached the university office to protest against Patel and reiterate their demand for his resignation. The protesters brought a garland made of fake currency notes to symbolically register their protest. However, as the registrar’s office was closed, the activists entered the office and placed the garland on the vacant chair.




Meanwhile, 10 temporary appointees at GU have reportedly been suspended following the recommendations of an inquiry committee examining alleged irregularities that caused financial losses to the university. Those suspended include senior officials associated with Gujarat University Startup and Entrepreneurship Council, Institute of Defence Studies and Research Foundation, and Atal Incubation Centre.




The university’s audit and inquiry processes are expected to determine financial and administrative responsibility for the matters under scrutiny.