In a notable turn of events amidst allegations of administrative and fiscal discrepancies at Gujarat University, its former Vice Chancellor Neerja Gupta has stepped down from a key centrally sponsored project. Relinquishing her post as the principal investigator for the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram, she transferred more than 14 crore rupees of project capital back to the university administration.
Refund of Project Grants and Upcoming Audit
Providing details on Wednesday, the acting Vice Chancellor of Gujarat University, Jagdish Joshi, explained the financial breakdown. He stated that a comprehensive grant amounting to 16.53 crore rupees had previously been credited to the account held by the former Vice Chancellor for implementing the central scheme. Neerja Gupta formally submitted her resignation from the project coordinator role to the registrar through an email communication on August 11.
Following an accounting of project-related expenditures, the unutilized balance of 14.60 crore rupees was remitted back to the institution through a demand draft. Subsequently, on September 10, the university deposited this entire returned amount into a newly designated account for the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram. The acting Vice Chancellor further noted that an independent audit would examine the remaining balance of approximately 2 crore rupees to review how those funds were utilized, after which a final report will be submitted to the university.
Student Protests and Allegations of Mismanagement
The financial handling of institutional resources had already triggered substantial agitation across the campus. Representatives belonging to the National Students Union of India, the student wing affiliated with the Congress party, had earlier leveled accusations against Neerja Gupta, alleging involvement in multi-crore irregularities during her administrative tenure. During their agitation campaigns, student union members also held demonstrations seeking the resignation of Gujarat University Registrar Piyush Patel.
Post-Tenure Project Retention and Previous Suspensions
Neerja Gupta concluded her three-year term as the Vice Chancellor of the university in July of this year. However, even after stepping down from the university's helm, she had continued to retain charge as the lead investigator overseeing the central government initiative. The university had previously witnessed administrative fallout when 10 temporary staff members hired during her tenure were placed under suspension. That disciplinary action followed recommendations by an internal inquiry panel looking into procedural lapses that had reportedly caused considerable financial losses to the university treasury.
