KSOU's violations led to losses of Rs 30 crore over 20 years

The Karnataka State Open University (KSOU), Mysuru is under the scanner again.

The university, over a period of 20 years, has incurred losses of Rs 30 crore for repeatedly indulging in malpractices and irregularities. 

These include several violations of KTPP Act, recruitment, administrative, examination procedures, and financial irregularities.

The Karnataka State Audit and Accounts Department (KSA&AD), which has been raising audit objections annually under various rules and sections, has also been recommending compulsory recovery of the loss.

Apart from recommending year-wise recovery, the department has also been seeking submission of a compliance report on whether or not the authorities credited the amount recovered back into the university account.

KSOU has however failed to comply with the directions, which has led to the piling up of the outstanding amount from the year 1996-97.

The legislature committee — Papers Laid on the Table — is now seriously contemplating recommending criminal action against the university, in addition to ordering a Lokayukta or the Anti Corruption Bureau probe.

The 17-member committee, led by JD(S) MLA S R Mahesh, which has sent four notices to KSOU over the last two years, also cautioned the university during its inspection in August.

Though the university has sought three month’s time to complete the recovery process, the committee is no mood to oblige. The committee has to finalise its accounts and audit reports before the winter session commences in November.

The reports, with recommendations, have to be laid in the Assembly according to the procedure.

K N Chandrashekara, registrar, KSOU told DH that the university had already recovered around Rs 4.5 crore last year.

“KSOU has complied with the directions of the committee and has recovered a substantial amount. The remaining amount will be recovered soon. The committee has in fact appreciated the university for being compliant,” he added. Chandrashekara said some of the objections raised were unreasonable and added that the university had sought the state government’s intervention.