Lokayukta inspection exposes irregularities in government-run hostel

A surprise inspection by the Lokayukta at a government-run student hostel has uncovered large-scale irregularities, including unauthorised student admissions, misuse of funds, and poor administration.

Based on a complaint alleging mismanagement and irregularities in the hostel operations, a team of officials led by Lokayukta Justice B.S. Patil inspected the Government Science College Boys’ Hostel on M.G. Road on Thursday.

This was part of a series of raids on 28 government hostels in and around the city.

Probe revealed that the hostel, which has a sanctioned capacity of 275 students, was accommodating 373 students, far exceeding its approved limit. The officials found that several students were admitted without proper verification or eligibility documents, and records related to admissions, attendance, and welfare schemes were either incomplete or tampered with.

The inspection also uncovered financial irregularities. Around ₹25,000 collected under the Student Welfare Fund was allegedly misused, with no proper accounting or receipts.

The officials observed that some students were not attending classes regularly despite continuing to receive hostel facilities. The absence of systematic monitoring and oversight had led to administrative chaos, the report stated.

The inspections also found that each room is crowded with students with no proper sleeping arrangements. There were only 38 washrooms for 373 students which were badly maintained. The officials directed the staff to clean the washrooms at least four times a week. The food provided to the students was not up to the standard, neither nutritious nor hygienic, the officials noted.