V.D. Satheesan demands vigilance probe into alleged irregularities in Digital University Kerala

Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan has demanded a vigilance investigation into the alleged financial irregularities and corruption in Digital University Kerala (DUK).

In a letter to Mr. Vijayan, Mr. Satheesan said a special vigilance team should be assigned the task of investigating the charges.

Mr. Satheesan said that the condition that funds should be mobilised through projects for DUK’s functioning is being misused. Reports stating that faculty with external business interests have been cornering projects using companies run by them.

The Opposition Leader noted that unlike other universities, the Chief Minister himself is Pro-Chancellor of DUK.

Mr. Satheesan’s letter to the Chief Minister comes on the heels of DUK Vice-Chancellor in-charge Ciza Thomas flagging the issue in a letter to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar earlier this month. Dr. Thomas had raised concerns about misuse of government funds, unauthorised private ventures by faculty and irregularities in high-profile projects such as the ‘Graphene-Aurora programme.’

Mr. Satheesan also alleged irregularities in the graphene project. He said that the private company involved in it had started operations after the government order on the project was issued. The State government had advanced money to the firm before the official procedures were over.

The ₹94.85-crore graphene programme project is jointly funded by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the State government. It is a matter of great embarrassment to the government that corruption has taken place even in such a major project, Mr. Satheesan said.

Certain vested interests were also at play in the decision to accommodate the staff of private companies in a building constructed on land taken on lease by the university for a digital science park, he said.

The irregularities are being reported in a university under the Chief Minister. Urgent measures are needed to appoint a Vigilance team and take action against the culprits, Mr. Satheesan said.