The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has found irregularities in certain recruitments made at North Bengal University (NBU) during 2018 and 2021, said senior officials of the varsity on Wednesday, even as the institution celebrated its 62nd foundation day.
The NBU is the oldest university in north Bengal.
Sources said that the CAG report citing "irregularities" reached the varsity recently.
Swapan Rakshit, the officiating registrar of NBU, confirmed that they had received the report.
“The report we received from the CAG contained some unexpected words like ‘irregularities,’ ‘not at par,’ ‘non-following of government orders,’ for some appointments. They have asked for answers which we had sent but they are not satisfied with our report and said it is unacceptable,” said Rakshit.
“In the CAG report, it has been mentioned that the recruitments made between the years 2018 and 2021 were irregular. The CAG specified eight officer-level appointments and has asked the varsity to look into it,” he added.
C.M. Ravindran, the present vice-chancellor, said he had also found irregularities while scanning old records of the varsity.
“I was going through some old records and found that there has been some malpractice in the recruitments made between 2018 and 2021,” he said, adding he also found that some external candidates, "who are not qualified for posts", getting jobs at the varsity.
“People who have no experience have been recruited. I will not be able to regularise these cases because this is illegal,” added Ravindran.
On Wednesday, NBU foundation day celebrations were also held, starting with Ravindran hositing the university flag after a guard of honour by the varsity security guards.
Sanchari Roy Mukherjee, a former VC of NBU, delivered the welcome speech and highlighted the need to fill up the vacancies.
“Our university needs the development of infrastructure and research facilities. We need innovative research and measures to get a higher grade in NAAC (National Assessment & Accreditation Council),” Subhash Chandra Roy, the dean of science, arts, commerce and law, said.