AU steps for integration of staff and accounts

Efforts have begun for the transfer of control of the GPF and other accounts of the employees of Allahabad University (AU) and its Constituent Colleges from the State to the Varsity.

AU on its part too has initiated some more steps for proper integration of all the 10 Constituent Colleges with it.

Much to the relief of colleges' employees, the Joint Secretary (Higher Education) Jagannath Pal has instructed the Director of Higher Education to take all necessary steps to ensure the maintenance of all GPF accounts of the employees by Allahabad University.

The Director, vide letter UO-45/seventy-6-2006 dated July 25, 2006, has also been asked to intimate the State government of initiatives taken in this regard at the earliest.

The Joint secretary's instructions are in response to let

er written to the state government by the AU Finance Officer on June 26.
It is to be recalled that a delegation of Allahabad University and Colleges Karamchari Union led by its president Kanan Das Gupta had met the FO and apprised him of the fact that the GPF accounts and funds are still being controlled by the state government despite AU re-attaining the Central status and the colleges being declared Constituent of the varsity.

In a bid to tighten its financial control on the colleges, the varsity has also decided that the requirement of funds for financial year 2006-07 towards salaries, pension, GPF and Non-salary components would be projected to AU by the colleges so that the same can be reported to the finance committee and Executive Council for recommending adequate funds to the UGC.

With a view to finalize pension cases of those retired from the constituent colleges on and after July 14, 2005, their pension papers together with service book, last pay certificate, no dues certificate and family particulars etc will also be submitted to the AU Finance Officer for expeditious disposal of these cases.

The AU FO and the principals of the constituent colleges in a recent meeting have also resolved that a letter to all principals requesting them to get the details of PF balances as on March 31, 2006 and July 31, 2006 from Director of Higher Education (Allahabad) would be sent by the FO.

With regard to simplification of procedures for utilising Rs 25 lakh/Rs 15 lakh allotted to the colleges, it has been resolved that proposals be submitted to the finance officer who would in turn obtain in-principle approval of the Vice-Chancellor for various approved items of expenditure and communicate the same to the colleges.

It has been made clear that the colleges can follow the procedures laid down for procurements of Books and equipment and carry out civil works as per the norms laid down by the university after receiving the in-principle approval.
It has, however, been emphasised that these funds should be spent quickly so that additional funds could be requested from the UGC by submitting utilisation certificate and statement of expenditure by the FO.

As per the arrangement, the University engineer would certify the quality of civil work completed before arranging payment by the finance officer.

The finance officer on receipt of the bills with complete file will arrange audit and make the payments to the firms. Necessary entries such as Stock book, Asset register etc are to be made on the invoice duly certified by the principal.
The principals have requested for the release of grants non-salary component as no such funds for the present have been provided by the UGC/AU. It has been resolved that on receipt of proposals for the funds required from the colleges, it will be submitted to the UGC after getting the recommendations of the Finance Committee and Executive Council of the university.

For dealing with the problems of the vacant posts lying in colleges, it has been decided  that these would be filled up by the contract/guest lecturers as per the UGC norms and the colleges would obtain prior permission of the competent authority keeping the sanctioned posts as on July 14, 2005 and filled posts in view.

It has also been decided that there was a need to prescribe rules for leave entitlements, promotion, eligibility of HRA and purchase procedure etc and as and when these norms were framed by the university, the same will be communicated to the colleges for compliance.