logo
Oppn leader alleges graft, fraud in Digital University

Oppn leader alleges graft, fraud in Digital University

Time of India12-07-2025
T'puram: Opposition leader V D Satheesan wrote to the chief minister requesting immediate appointment of a special vigilance team to investigate illegal activities, financial fraud and corruption at Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology (Digital University Kerala).
"Private company, India Graphene Engineering and Innovation Centre, which was involved in the graphene project that chief minister proudly announced, began its operations only after the official order regarding the project was issued. Despite this, advance payments were made to this fraudulent institution before completing official procedures," he alleged. Besides the Rs 94.85 crore provided by Centre's ministry of electronics and information technology, state govt also has investments in the project, he added.
It is a disgrace to the state to have corruption in such a large project, he said. "You might be aware of reports regarding illegal activities, financial fraud and corruption occurring at the Digital University. Unlike other universities, chief minister himself is the pro-chancellor of this university, which operates under the IT department," he said in the letter.
"The corrupt are exploiting the condition that funds necessary for the university's operations should be raised through various projects.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Đây có thể là thời điểm tốt nhất để giao dịch vàng trong 5 năm qua
IC Markets
Tìm hiểu thêm
Undo
The lack of an audit since the university's inception leaves no doubt about the possibility of corruption," he alleged.
"Many projects intended for the university are being implemented in the name of paper companies created by faculty members, misusing the university's resources. Reports that some faculty members have formed more than five companies to secure projects are extremely serious. These faculty members use university-paid employees for the operation of such companies," Satheesan pointed out in the letter.
The building constructed at great expense for the Digital Science Park, leased by the university, has been given to private company employees for accommodation, revealing the financial interests of certain individuals, he stated.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

SP members stage walkout from Parishad over schools' pairing
SP members stage walkout from Parishad over schools' pairing

Time of India

time44 minutes ago

  • Time of India

SP members stage walkout from Parishad over schools' pairing

1 2 Lucknow: Govt's decision to pair primary schools with low attendance led to fireworks in the Vidhan Parishad on Monday, with the Samajwadi Party accusing the BJP of violating the principle of the Right to Education. The party staged a walkout in the middle of basic education minister Sandeep Singh's response to the discussion, alleging that the BJP was turning the education sector into a business. SP's Ashutosh Sinha said, according to data provided to the Lok Sabha recently, between 2017-18 and 2023-24, about 26,040 govt schools in UP were either closed or paired. Against a teacher-to-student ratio of 1:20, there were 8,866 primary schools having only a single teacher in each, and these schools had 611,950 registered children. Calling this a conspiracy by the govt to avoid new recruitments, Sinha said that the chief secretary admitted to the Supreme Court that 308,316 posts of teachers in upper primary schools were vacant. Leader of Opposition in Parishad Lal Bihari Yadav alleged that differences between private and council schools resulted in low enrolment in govt schools. "Admission to private schools starts at 3 years while at govt schools it is 5 years. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Stylish New Mobility Scooters Available for Seniors (Prices May Surprise You) Mobility Scooter | Search Ads Search Now Undo It should not matter if there are 50 or 5 children in a school. The govt should strive to ensure the best education for all children. Books are not available, and a change in school timings has ensured that at 1.30 pm, when schools give over, children have to walk back in the heat," he said. In response, Singh said the pairing of schools would not impact any child. "The pairing is being done to improve group and peer learning and learning outcomes among children. When children sit together and learn, it encourages discussion among them, and learning is better," he said. He stated that if children find it difficult to reach schools after the merger, the schools will not be paired. The minister added that pairing schools will also increase the availability of teachers. He explained that schools with higher enrolment get more composite grants and therefore have better facilities. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.

Plan to re-train forest personnel in weapons handling
Plan to re-train forest personnel in weapons handling

Time of India

time44 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Plan to re-train forest personnel in weapons handling

1 2 Bhubaneswar: Following the killing of a forest guard in May by poachers using a pump-action gun carried by him, the wildlife wing of the forest department has planned to re-train all its personnel possessing various firearms. Experts attributed the death to mishandling of the gun by the forest guard. The department provided all personnel with firearms last year after poachers killed two forest personnel in Similipal Tiger Reserve in 2023. "After the firearms were given to forest personnel, they received some training from police. But that is not enough. While periodical training is necessary for gun handling, we want to carry it out soon. We have had initial discussions with the home department. Proper training will ensure that the guns are not misused by poachers and are mostly used as a deterrent," said a top wildlife officer. Initially, forest personnel used weapons owned by police such as pistols, revolvers and .303 rifles during their training. After the new weapons were received, they received another round of training. Four types of guns — 9mm pistol (automatic), pistol, 5.56mm Excalibur rifle(equivalent in lethality to Insas), and pump-action gun — have been given to forest personnel. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Georgia: Kitchen Remodeling Trends in 2025 May Surprise You Kitchen Remodeling | Search ads Search Now Undo While pistol is allowed to be used by deputy range officers and above rank, the Excalibur is for use by Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) personnel. Pump-action guns were given to forest guards and foresters. "For handling new guns, the personnel received three-day weapons training apart from training on tackling crisis situations. Altogether, 40 personnel in Similipal received training. They will get further training along with others in their respective districts from police," the officer added. At least 10 years after the STPF was raised, its personnel received weapons training. They now trek the forest and track poachers with just sticks. A handful of them carry double-barrel firearms. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.

Assam tea estate workers protest destruction of plants
Assam tea estate workers protest destruction of plants

Time of India

time44 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Assam tea estate workers protest destruction of plants

1 2 3 4 5 6 Dibrugarh: Hundreds of workers from the Hazelbank Tea Estate in Dibrugarh's Lahowal staged a protest on Monday after unidentified miscreants chopped down tea plants and assaulted an assistant manager on Sunday night. The workers demanded immediate police action against the culprits, leading to a tense standoff that lasted nearly two hours before authorities intervened. The incident took place on Sunday night around 9.30 pm when Abhishek Gautam, the assistant manager of the estate, was conducting his routine inspection in Section 21 of the plantation. As he approached the area, he spotted six or seven people armed with machetes (locally known as daos), hacking away at tea bushes. Gautam immediately confronted the group, demanding they stop the destruction. Instead, the miscreants turned violent, attacking him before fleeing. Gautam barely managed to escape and reported the incident to estate authorities. By Monday morning, news of the attack had spread rapidly among the estate's workforce, triggering widespread anger. Hundreds of tea workers, many of whom rely on the plantation for their livelihoods, gathered in protest, shouting slogans and demanding justice. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Quote Undo The workers accused unidentified outsiders of deliberately sabotaging the plantation, though the motive behind the attack remains unclear. "This is our livelihood. If tea plants are destroyed, how will we feed our families? We demand that the police arrest those responsible immediately. Our lives depend on these tea plants. These miscreants have destroyed plants that take years to grow and produce tea," said Krishna Tanti, a worker at the tea estate. Police, along with representatives from the Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha (ACMS), arrived at the scene following the protest. After nearly two hours of discussions, the workers agreed to withdraw their demonstration. "We have registered a case and are investigating the matter thoroughly. Such acts will not be tolerated. We are trying to identify the culprits," a police officer said. The Hazelbank Tea Estate, owned by Assam Company India Ltd, holds historical significance. Spanning 400 hectares, it was named after Hazel, the daughter of British civil servant Dr Mead during colonial rule. The estate is a key employer in the region, and any threat to its operations directly impacts hundreds of workers. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store