Srinagar, June 14: Authorities at the University of Kashmir have come in the line of criticism for sanctioning deputation of around a dozen key administrative officers to Leh and Kargil for laying of “Foundation Stone” of the two satellite campuses there. While insiders bluntly argue that the authorities had “no reason whatsoever to depute so many officers for mere Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony”, it is also alleged that they “overlooked the financial implications on the entourage which could have been attended by the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar alone.”
Vide a formal order, copy of which is with Greater Kashmir, the KU authorities have sanctioned deputation of at least eight top officers of the University for a minimum period of five days (more in some cases). These include the Dean Academic Affairs, Registrar, Dean College Development Council, Director Directorate of Internal Quality Assurance, Dean Students Welfare, Deputy Registrar (Development), Executive Engineer and Deputy Registrar (Estates).
“The deputation of Executive Engineer along with two teams, one for Leh and another for Kargil shall be with effect from 12th June 2012 to 20th June 2012 in order to make requisite arrangements for the event well in advance,” the deputation order reads. “The deputation of Deputy Registrar (Estates) shall be with effect from 14th to 20th of June 2012. He shall be accompanied by Senior PA to DCDC for assistance at Leh and Kargil.”
The deputation of rest of the top officers is from June 15th to June 20th. Pertinently the foundation stone laying ceremony is scheduled for June 18 in Leh and June 19 in Kargil.
According to the University insiders, it is completely illogical to take the entire administration along for Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony especially in view of the huge financial implications on travel, boarding and lodging of the officers for so many days. “Most of these officers are travelling by air, first from Srinagar to Delhi and then from Delhi to Leh. Alongside, half a dozen empty vehicles have been sent to Leh for transportation of officers from Leh to Kargil and then to Srinagar,” said a University source, privy to the order. “The function could have been attended by the VC and Registrar alone in view of the presence of Chief Minister and Governor at the ceremony. There is absolutely no justification whatsoever to take other officers, holding important offices vis-à-vis student and public dealing, along. This is just a stone laying ceremony which didn’t require all the officers. At the most, an officer from Development section and Engineering wing could accompany in view of the possible discussion on site plans. Rest of the things could be charted out at the Main Campus itself.”
While the University of Kashmir has been, for quite some time, boasting of having imposed “financial discipline” on the campus, the Leh and Kargil trip has brought the claims under cloud. “At the end of the day, it is sheer misuse of finances which belies the varsity claims on financial discipline,” said a KU officer, insisting not to be named. “Alongside officers, there is heavy expenditure on fuel of vehicles which should have been taken a note of. Fewer officers on the trip could have cut down the expenditure. If there were only one or two officers, there was no point sending a convoy of empty vehicles to Leh from Srinagar. They could have hired a vehicle or two there or asked the district administration to provide the same.”
According to sources, officers whose deputation has been sanctioned are heading the key offices where students often visit for different works. “The offices shall remain literally shut for some days,” they said. “Such a deputation would have been justified only if the campuses had come up and required inputs on administrative and academic affairs. This time it is too early to do that, especially when the University has in the order itself acknowledged that it is nothing more than a Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony.”

NO OFFICIAL WORD
While the deputation order is completely silent on the ‘job’ that the deputed officers are required to perform during the ceremony, the KU Vice-Chancellor, Prof Talat Ahmad, who is presently in Leh, could not be contacted for comments despite repeated attempts.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 14 Jun 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 14 Jun 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 15 Jun 2012 00:00:00 IST