DH IMPACT | HDK assures action against Ninge Gowda

A day after DH reported on charges of irregularities against Bangalore University former registrar (evaluation) Ninge Gowda, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Wednesday said strict action would be taken against him.

Higher Education Minister G T Devegowda also sought to assure that action would be taken against Ninge Gowda if he is found guilty. Interestingly, Ninge Gowda now works as special officer to the Higher Education minister.

Kumaraswamy said he has ordered officials to get the reports on irregularities. “Soon, I will chair a meeting with G T Devegowda and officials from the Higher Education department and take action accordingly. As per the committee report, Ninge Gowda has been held responsible for irregularities. Nobody is above the law. I consider this issue seriously,” he said. Ninge Gowda has been accused of flouting norms and failing to follow procedures during reappropriation of Rs 3.81 crore. A committee headed by R K Somashekar, professor and chairman of Environmental Science, Bangalore University, had levelled the charges.

G T Devegowda said: “I got to know about the issue only after reading the newspaper. The alleged irregularities had taken place when Ninge Gowda was the registrar (evaluation) in BU in 2014-15. He has since retired from the post. I will get the report and take action at appropriate time.”

The report is yet to be submitted at the syndicate meeting at BU. “The report has not been placed in any of the recent syndicate meetings, but it will be brought up for discussion in the upcoming meeting. The syndicate members will decide the further course of action against him,” BU Vice-Chancellor Venugopal K R said.