Panel indicts VC Trivedi for flouting norms

A two-member committee which was asked to investigate allegations against Parimal Trivedi has submitted its findings to the higher education commissioner

Yogesh Avasthi

Posted On Monday, August 08, 2011 (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/3/2011080820110808022050250e61ca229/Panel-indicts-VC-Trivedi-for-flouting-norms.html)

Controversies do not seem to leave Gujarat University Vice Chancellor Parimal Trivedi. A two-member committee accompanied by a senior accounts officer that was ordered to look into the allegations of corruption and irregularities has found him prima facie guilty of flouting several norms while awarding tenders.
The committee comprised S U Vora, principal of M P Shah Arts and Science College, Surendranagar, and Dr A S Rathod, principal of Gujarat Arts, Science College, Ahmedabad. They were sent to quiz Trivedi and in-charge registrar on June 22. The committee submitted a report of the findings to Higher Education Commissioner Jayanti Ravi on June 23. Jayanti forwarded this report to Principal Education Secretary Hasmukh Adhia on June 27.

Panel’s findings
The rules and regulations require the formation of a tender committee that monitors the procedures involved in each tender bid. However, this has not been followed and no such tender committee exists. The rules require that tenders with a value higher than Rs 2 lakh must give interested parties a 21-day period to place their bids. But all procedures of the tenders at GU were completed in seven to 10 days. Added to this, there were no signatures on the list of bids for any tender (only prices have been listed).
Also, there has been no formal written order issued by any authority for discussing the list of tenders and their bids. All tender procedures have been undertaken by the VC’s oral orders alone. The report shows that in 2010, tender procedures for printing of answer sheets was opened to all the contending parties despite the lack of facilities available with many of the contending parties.
In 2008, Wilson Print City and Crystal Firms Private Limited were involved in the technical bidding for printing answer sheets. Inquiry into the matter has revealed that no paper samples were submitted by Wilson Print City. This fact has been accepted in writing by in-charge registrar Minesh Shah as well. But the tender file states that Wilson Print City’s paper quality was far better than that of Crystal Firms Private Limited.
In the same year, the committee found that High Scan Private Limited had quoted lower price in the bidding procedure. As per the rules, there must be negotiation with the lowest bidder. Instead the negotiation took place with Wilson Print City and the tender was offered to it. The bid of Wilson Print City was presented to the Executive Council and the final bid was then awarded to Wilson Print City. But there is no proof of the Executive Council accepting the bid of Wilson Print City.
The report also states that VC told the panel that Wilson Print City, had completed its work on time. But then when committee checked the tender files, it showed that Wilson Print City failed to maintain its deadline. If the delivery dates are not maintained, rules state that the parties concerned were supposed to be penalised. Wilson Print City was not penalised and a certificate of satisfaction was given to it.
The committee in its findings showed that there was a gross violation of rules and regulations while awarding of tenders. Further the committee found that on February 20, 2010, Trivedi misinformed the finance committee while he stated that two bids of the tender had been opened. But actually, four bids were opened. This is considered as a serious offence.
According to the rules, the payment for the printing of question papers was based on a minimum of 100 copies printed. However, the 2006-2007 audit shows that payment for the question papers printing was based on a minimum of 1000 copies printed. Due to this, Gujarat University spent Rs 1,74,500 extra on the printing of these papers. The printing costs could have been just Rs 19,390 but a payment of Rs 1,93,800 was made.

Background

Pradeep Prajapati, former dean of arts faculty, had sent letters on April 3, 2010, highlighting the irregularities to the chancellor; University Grants Commission chairman, Chief Minister Narendra Modi; Gujarat Vigilance Commissioner and Central Bureau of Investigation.
The commissioner of higher education initiated a probe after Prajapati alleged misdeeds, corruption and misuse of public money by the university officials in his letter. Prajapati in his letter alleged that Trivedi suddenly stopped functioning of the university press without reason to facilitate the printing at a particular printing press.
Trivedi had contended that the committee members had prepared a report based on half-baked information.