Gujarat University Financial Row: Former VC Neerja Gupta Steps Down from Central Project, Returns Over 14 Crore Amid controversy over financial practices at Gujarat University, former Vice Chancellor Neerja Gupta has resigned from her central scheme role and returned unspent funds exceeding 14 crore rupees. An audit will review the remaining expenditure. 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. What this means for you The return of unspent central grant money and the initiation of an audit reinforce administrative transparency and fiscal accountability in higher education. • Across India: The development underscores strict compliance requirements for managing central scheme grants across state and central universities. It signals tighter scrutiny over how research and welfare funds are credited and spent by institutional leaders. • In Ahmedabad: Gujarat University students and faculty can expect clearer oversight over central development programs on campus. Transferring the refunded capital to a designated official account will help realign project goals under proper administrative supervision. • For University Administration: The case establishes stricter checks on project-level bank accounts and contractual hiring practices. It serves as a precedent for enforcing institutional oversight once leadership tenures end. • For Student Bodies: Campus organizations gain greater leverage to demand accountability regarding university finances. It highlights how student-led scrutiny can bring administrative and financial lapses into public view. Why this happened The move stems from escalating allegations of financial irregularities, sustained campus protests, and the formal conclusion of the former leadership's administrative term. • Direct Trigger: Following the completion of her vice-chancellorship in July, Neerja Gupta tendered her resignation from the central project via email on August 11 and subsequently refunded 14.60 crore rupees in unspent funds through a demand draft. • Student Agitation and Scrutiny: The Congress-affiliated National Students Union of India had leveled charges of substantial financial misconduct during her tenure, organizing demonstrations and calling for the removal of the university registrar. • Prior Inquiries and Suspensions: An internal investigative committee had previously highlighted irregular staffing choices, resulting in the suspension of 10 temporary employees whose hiring had reportedly burdened university coffers. • Pending Audit: An audit has been instituted to review the utilization of the approximately 2 crore rupees spent out of the original 16.53 crore rupee allocation before final clearance is given. Questions & Answers 1. What post did Neerja Gupta resign from? Neerja Gupta resigned from the position of principal investigator for the central government's Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram at Gujarat University. 2. How much money was returned to Gujarat University? She returned 14.60 crore rupees of unspent funds to the university via a demand draft. 3. What was the total grant allocated for the central scheme? A total grant of 16.53 crore rupees had originally been credited to the former Vice Chancellor's account for the scheme. 4. What action is being taken regarding the remaining 2 crore rupees? Acting Vice Chancellor Jagdish Joshi confirmed that an audit will be conducted on the roughly 2 crore rupees spent, with a report to follow. 5. When did Neerja Gupta finish her tenure as Vice Chancellor? She completed her three-year term as Gujarat University Vice Chancellor in July of this year. 6. Which student organization protested the alleged financial irregularities? The National Students Union of India staged protests alleging multi-crore irregularities and sought the resignation of the university registrar. https://trendkia.com/en/gujarat/gujarat-university-vittiya-vivada-purva-kulapati-neerja-gupta-ne-chhora-kendriya-projekta-14-karora-se-adhika-ki-rashi-vapasa-ki-37333 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.