Latest news with #GrapheneAurora
The Hindu
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Kerala CM refutes Opposition Leader's charges on Digital University Kerala, defends graphene project and audit procedures
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday (July 25, 2025) issued a strong rebuttal to allegations of financial irregularities and illegal activities at Digital University Kerala (DUK), raised by Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan. In a detailed response, the Chief Minister termed the claims as 'factually incorrect' and defended the State's handling of the university's operations and its flagship Graphene Aurora project. Mr. Satheesan had earlier written to the Chief Minister demanding a Vigilance investigation into alleged corruption. He alleged that the university violated statutory norms and had made unauthorised advance payments to a private company, India Graphene Engineering and Innovation Centre (I-GEIC), which is involved in the Graphene Aurora programme. He also accused faculty members of misusing university infrastructure to float multiple private companies for project implementation, and that the university has not undergone any audit since its inception. Rejecting these claims, Mr. Vijayan termed the allegation that no audits were conducted at DUK as baseless. 'A statutory audit has been carried out. The audit for the financial year 2023–24 has been completed. The university has formally requested the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to undertake further audits. Further steps are awaited from the CAG,' the Chief Minister stated. 'In line with policy, regulations' Addressing the accusations regarding I-GEIC, he elaborated that the formation of the company was in line with the university's declared policy and regulations. 'The claim that advance payments were made illegally is false. The company was formed in compliance with the university's statutes and with prior approval from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology,' he said. Mr. Vijayan also defended the integrity of those involved in the management of I-GEIC. 'The chairman of the company is M. Madhavan Nambiar, a former Secretary of Civil Aviation of the Government of India. Other key members include senior industry professionals formerly associated with Tata Group, such as M.A. Pathan and Kamesh Gupta, as well as Prof. Alex Thomas from the university.' The Chief Minister went on to clarify that the university's regulations encourage faculty entrepreneurial initiatives and support R&D through non-profit entities. Moreover, as a modern university, DUK is expected to generate funding for faculty and research projects independently. Misrepresenting these legitimate activities as corruption is a deliberate distortion, he added. He also accused the Opposition of attempting to tarnish the reputation of transformative projects for 'political gain.'
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
State's higher edu sector in complete disarray: Satheesan
Kochi: Opposition leader V D Satheesan criticised the entrance commissionerate and the higher education department for acting without foresight, saying their decisions are putting the future of students at risk and pushing Kerala's higher education sector into turmoil. Satheesan told reporters on Thursday that the govt must take urgent steps to resolve the ongoing issues as students are bearing the brunt of the crisis. "There are conflicts brewing in almost every university over petty issues. Twelve out of 13 universities are functioning without VCs. SFI members, including both staff and students, who protested against the governor were assaulted. The entire higher education system is now in a state of disorder," he said. Satheesan also strongly criticised the govt over the confusion regarding KEAM results. "The high court has annulled the KEAM exam results. Would anyone with common sense amend the prospectus at the last minute?," he asked. Satheesan also levelled serious allegations of corruption in the Graphene Aurora project launched in the state for advanced graphene research. "Credible information has surfaced pointing to large-scale corruption in the Graphene Aurora project at the Digital University, where the chief minister serves as chancellor," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Transforme su trading con un Broker experimentado. FP Markets Empieza ahora Undo He said the contract for the project was handed over to a company named Graphene Engineering and Innovation, formed under a joint directive of the central and state govts. "The VC reported that funds were disbursed even before the necessary procedures were completed. There was blatant misuse of land and other resources for personal gain. The company that bagged the project has links to influential individuals," he 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.
