Team Herald
PANJIM: A high-level inquiry into financial irregularities at Goa University (GU) has resulted in the suspension of a former Head and Dean of Commerce Faculty, Professor B Ramesh. The professor is alleged to have committed a fraud in 2005.
According to the case details, Ramesh was assigned to conduct the 63rd All India Commerce Conference in October 2010 for which the varsity sanctioned an amount of Rs 5 lakh while he mobilised the remaining amount through sponsorships from various organisations within and outside Goa.
GU sources told Herald that he failed to submit audited accounts of the conference even after five years of the event which was a precondition from the University while approving it. “Considering it a serious matter, GU instructed him to submit audited accounts in 2015 within one month. He then submitted audited accounts (external auditor) in May 2015 and it was placed before the internal auditor (IA) of the University for further scrutiny and to ascertain the accuracy of preparation of accounts. The IA found several serious financial irregularities and lapses in preparing the accounts,” he said.
The IA report was thereafter placed before the GU Executive Council (EC) the same year. The EC took serious view of the matter and sought clarification from the professor, whose explanation did not convince the authorities. “He was once again asked to submit his clarification, which was then placed before the reconstituted EC on October 31, 2016. Considering the seriousness of the matter in terms of financial irregularities EC decided to constitute one member inquiry committee, suspend Prof Ramesh during the inquiry period and to send a letter to GTDC to obtain no dues certificate for using their accommodation,” the official said.
Accordingly, Vice Chancellor Varun Sahni appointed the inquiry committee and suspended the former HoD on January 31 besides complying with other recommendations of the EC.
This is the second suspension in the last month as an associate professor was suspended for his alleged involvement in a case of sexual harassment.
