MHRD orders recovery from BBAU VC, seeks re-fixation of his salary

Padam Shri Prof RC Sobti, vice chancellor, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU), is not entitled to draw full pay with his pension and pensionary benefits as he has drawn the same as a retired professor of Punjab University, according to the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Government of India.

The ministry has asked the BBAU registrar to re-fix Sobti’s pay as VC, BBAU from the date of his initial appointment, in accordance with the department of personnel and training (DOPT’s) clarification and make necessary recoveries.

In a letter dated June 4, 2018, of which HT is in possession, Surat Singh, deputy secretary, department of higher education to the government of India asked the university to intimate the details of terminal benefits being/made available to Prof Sobti, who was given extension as selection process of the new vice chancellor got delayed.

The MHRD letter reads: “It has been observed that full salary with pension may not be allowed to the vice chancellor, BBAU as neither the provisions of the Act, Statutes and Ordinances of the BBAU, whereby the terms and conditions of the services of Vice Chancellor of BBAU are regulated, provide for any exemption from deduction of non-ignorable pension from the salary, nor is it provided in the contract of his appointment.

Rather the Statute 2(5)(i) stipulates that the vice chancellor shall be paid a monthly salary and allowances other than the house rent allowances, at the rate fixed by the central government from time to time. Further, the instructions of DOP&T or UGC also do not provide for any exemption from deduction of non-ignorable pension from the salary in the case of re-employed pensioners.”

The letter reads: “Of late, a large number of complaints were received in this ministry on the issue of late drawal of pension and full salary by Prof RC Sobti.”

BBAU finance officer, Rama Shankar Singh immediately wrote a letter to vice chancellor, RC Sobti about recovery on account of drawing retirement pension and full salary-reg. HT has a copy of the FO’s letter too.

“As you are already aware, the office of the principal director of audit (central) representing C&AG of India, branch office, Allahabad had already pointed out the amount of recovery on account of drawal of dearness relief amounting to R 34,82,900 vide their Audit Report dated dated December 15, 2016,” FO’s letter read.

The FO asked the VC to submit his plan for making refund of excess payment already/received by him at the earliest. “Further, I wish to submit that the university has released ₹41,68,368 as payment of DCRG, leave encashment and PF/CPF as part of terminal benefits despite of my submission as finance officer, wherein I have asked the internal audit officer to give views before the proposal for payment of terminal benefits,” FO’s letter reads.

“However, Prof RB Ram, in-charge registrar as well as in-charge FO, ignoring my observations, released the payment of terminal benefits to the vice chancellor during my absence, when the undersigned was on training programme in Hyderabad,” FO said.

“Now after the receipt of MHRD letter dated June 4, 2018, I was informed that payment of terminal benefits has been made on April 24, 2018 under the signature of Prof RB Ram as finance officer (In-charge). In the light of stated facts, it is requested to kindly ensure the compliance of MHRD direction,” the finance officer’s letter reads.

The direction from MHRD to recover salary unduly taken by Prof RC Sobti as vice chancellor while drawing full pension from Punjab University, Chandigarh came as no surprise, varsity sources said. This illegal drawal of pension and salary was echoing in the precincts of the university since his joining in January 2013, said a professor said who do not wish to be identified.

Insiders said removal of permanent registrar Sunita Chandra was linked with this issue as she was the first one to question these wrongful pecuniary drawals by Prof RC Sobti.