BCU VC and syndicate fight over upkeep plans

BCU VC and syndicate fight over upkeep plans

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru: 16.11.2020

The Bengaluru City University vice-chancellor’s plan to lay a foundation stone for redevelopment work of the university has run into rough weather, with some syndicate members saying they have not approved the agency or the proposal.

According to the syndicate members, it was decided to set aside Rs 155 crore for construction, renovation and development activities of the campus. As the university does not have an engineering department, it was decided to entrust it to either the public works department, central PWD or any other PSU after the syndicate approves the masterplan.

On October 23, vice-chancellor S Japhet wrote to the government seeking approval to prepare a masterplan and said the health and family welfare department’s engineering division had quoted Rs 155 crore.

The VC had planned a foundation stone-laying ceremony for the works on November 18. The syndicate, however, objected saying no agency was entrusted with the work or approved by the syndicate. Six members wrote to the governor on Sunday seeking the VC’s suspension for alleged misrepresentation of the syndicate and misuse of his official powers, among other charges.

In his reply to syndicate members, Japhet said, “The syndicate’s decision has been communicated to the government ... the agency’s proposal was forwarded to the government for according administrative approval since the matter was required to be placed before the state cabinet. The government has decided to hold a ground-breaking ceremony for the development work on November 18, and the chief minister is expected to participate.”

Six members wrote to the governor on Sunday seeking the VC’s suspension for alleged misrepresentation of the syndicate and misuse of his official powers, among other charges