The controversy surrounding the construction of a postgraduate building in Kolar under Bangalore University is turning murkier by the day. After allegations and counter-allegations over alleged irregularities in the construction of the building, which is still not available for students, university vice-chancellor Dr. N. Prabhudev and Registrar Prof. B.C. Mylarappa have now been accused of showing undue favour to the building contractor and releasing Rs 25 lakh as advance. The money was released despite the university engineer raising objections, saying there is no such provision under the law and no such precedent in the history of university.
Interestingly, the decision to extend funds to the contractor was taken unanimously by Dr Prabhudev and Prof. Mylarappa, who have been at loggerheads on almost all issues concerning the varsity. According to the documents available with Deccan Chronicle, Dr Prabhudev had convened a meeting of Prof. Mylarappa, five university officials and building contractor B. Shivaraju on August 25, 2012. Mr Shivaraju demanded Rs 50 lakh as an immediate advance payment to resume work, while the officials at the meeting agreed to Rs 25 lakh. The decision was taken in the absence of Syndicate members and university engineer N. Puttaswamy.
When the file was forwarded to Mr Puttaswamy, he objected saying there is no such provision. He also informed the two top university officials that he has not witnessed such advance payments in his entire career in the university engineering department. Despite the protest note, the officials released the money. A senior officer, requesting anonymity, told this newspaper that it is a classic example of whimsical officials taking decisions in violation of university rules. “The PG Centre work has been going on at a snail’s pace and the issue has been raised repeatedly in different university meetings. But no one is aware why the university engineer’s dissent note was rejected by the officials and the payment was made,” he said.