PRESS STATEMENT, 14.12.2013

PRESS STATEMENT REGARDING SERIOUS IRREGULARITIES COMMITTED BY PRINCIPAL, AUROBINDO COLLEGE

The Delhi University Teachers’ Association held a Press Conference at 2 pm on Saturday, 14.12.13, in the DUTA Office, on the serious situation prevailing in Sri Aurobindo College because of corruption and severe maladministration by the Principal, Dr. Hari Om.

The DUTA Office bearers placed before the media certain documents concerning charges of serious financial and administrative irregularities, which merit a thorough and independent enquiry.

These include the documents regarding the date of birth of Dr. Hari Om, on the basis of which he should have retired in July 2013, the non-appointment of PA, Librarian, Physical education teachers, misuse of OBC grant for substandard construction that has dangerous implications for the building given the metro line below it, no sports admissions for years, serious mismanagement of PF and other financial irregularities causing immense loss to the college and its employees as outlined in a report of the PF Committee, arbitrary application of rules and victimization of dissenting teachers and employees etc.

In an attempt to scuttle any such enquiry, the Dr. Hari Om, on the eve of his retirement, has unceremoniously sacked the Vice Principal Dr. Meenakshi Gupta,  much before her term ended, and had her replaced by a hand-picked individual, in blatant violation of the long-standing convention of appointment of Vice-Principal by rotation according to Seniority. Dr. Meenakshi Gupta, who was present at the Press Conference, detailed the irregular manner in which she was removed from her post as Vice-Principal.

The DUTA also highlighted  the ignoble role played by the University authorities at whose behest the University representatives on the five member truncated Governing Body surreptitiously participated in the violation of the rule of law.

The DUTA demands that the illegal appointment of Vice Principal by so-called “interview” be declared null and void and Dr. Meenakshi Gupta re-instated as Vice Principal. The principle of appointment of Vice-principal by rotation according to seniority should be continued. The five-member truncated Governing Body has no right to make major policy changes in governance of the college. They should wait for the formation of the complete Governing Body with the nominees of the Delhi Government, in which all proposals for any change should be thoroughly discussed after consulting all stake-holders.

The DUTA also demands that the Governing Body institute an independent Enquiry into the charges against the Principal Dr. Hari Om.