Latest news with #Graphene-Aurora
The Hindu
12-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
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.
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Digital University Kerala comes under scanner over suspicion of financial irregularities; V-C urges Chancellor to initiate audit
Digital University Kerala (DUK) Vice-Chancellor in-charge Ciza Thomas has written to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar raising concerns of misuse of government funds, unauthorised private ventures by faculty, and irregularities in high-profile projects, particularly the flagship 'Graphene-Aurora programme.' The ₹94.85-crore project is jointly funded by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the State government. In her report to the Governor, who is also the Chancellor of DUK, Dr. Thomas flagged instances of conflict of interest among faculty with external business interests. She pointed out that several senior faculty members owned and operated private companies without formal permission from the university. Besides, university infrastructure, including office space, staff and research scholars were being utilised to run these entities. Moreover, government-funded projects were being routed through some of these companies without appropriate scrutiny. The Vice-Chancellor has raised several doubts in the case of the Graphene Aurora programme and the involvement of I-GEIC, a private entity. While the Bengaluru-headquartered firm was initially listed as the projects' implementing agency, MeitY later issued a corrigendum to identify the university as the implementing agency. Despite the correction, the university transferred ₹3.94 crore of the project funds received in 2024-25 to the company. Onus on varsity It is alleged that the memorandums of understanding signed by the DUK with I-GEIC and MeitY places full responsibility on the university for project implementation, while shielding the private firm from operational accountability. The agreements are allegedly skewed against the university's interests. The report also highlights the purported misuse of university space and funds. The university's facility at Kabani building in Technopark, refurbished at ₹2.9 crore, is apparently being used to house the staff of I-GEIC and other private firms. The rent and maintenance for the space are being borne by the DUK. Insisting that such instances are not not isolated, Dr. Thomas stated similar cases were followed in other projects too. While the university had initiated steps to facilitate an audit by the Accountant General, the Vice-Chancellor has recommended an independent audit to unearth any financial mismanagement and misuse of public resources.
