Mumbai: The state government has limited prices to buying cars for university authorities.
The government’s resolution for the effect has been passed and the upper limit for vehicles for Chancellor (VC) has been set at Rs 12 Lakh, which includes installing accessories and additional services.
Similarly, the expenditure limit for Pro Vice-Chancellor cars is Rs 10 Lakh.
GR causes ripples in the academic circle with the University’s head making panic calls to Mantalaya to find out whether the rules will also apply retrospectively.
“We have issued a resolution to ensure that the University’s head did not splurge in the car.
However, this money was collected from students,” Minister for higher education and technical Uday Samant to TOI.
“VC is equivalent to the Secretary of State and after a thorough test, my team has issued a limit of expenses that all university authorities need to comply with.” VCS who has asked about the application of purchasing rules that have been made, may have to wait for clarity.
“The problem is whether the University’s head must personally pay the difference between costs incurred and what is permitted for the car is waiting before the Secretary of Higher Education,” added Samant.
GR states that money in corpus universities or public funds is public money that must be utilized wisely.
“Since the last few years, university authorities have violated the government’s rules and buying cars that exceed the costs set by the state,” Read Gr.
On December 13, 2019, TOI has brought an article titled, “Boss Mumbai Top University ‘shopping on SUVs” after VC and Pro VC bought two topline vehicles for RS 64 lakh using university public funds.
Interestingly, the minister who toured several state universities noticed that most VC had bought very high-end vehicles.
“Our cabinet ministers traveled by car for 12 lakh VC traveling with a vehicle that will cost Crore, “said the source from the Ministry.
According to the GR, the upper limit for buying a car for the exam director, legal and financial officers is set at RS 9 Lakh and that for other university administrative officers, who have permission to use official vehicles, at Rs 8 Lakh.