NSUI Protests Alleged Gujarat University Grant Scam

AHMEDABAD : A protest over alleged financial irregularities at Gujarat University turned dramatic as around 200 NSUI workers entered the Vice Chancellor’s office, raised slogans against former Vice Chancellor Neerja Gupta and showered fake currency notes on the in-charge Vice Chancellor.

The protesters demanded that a police complaint be registered against Gupta within 72 hours over allegations linked to the use of a grant of around Rs 40 crore received under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK).

NSUI warned that failure to file the complaint within the deadline would trigger a shutdown of colleges affiliated with Gujarat University. Protesters also threatened to blacken the face of the Chancellor as part of their agitation.

The student organisation alleged that Gupta had appointed herself as the Principal Investigator of the PMJVK project while serving as Vice Chancellor and received additional remuneration of around Rs 4.20 lakh apart from her salary.

Another serious allegation concerns a transfer of Rs 9.84 lakh from the grant-linked account to the bank account of Gupta’s son, who is based in Germany. NSUI also questioned the absence of utilisation details for more than half of the Rs 40-crore grant.

The protesters further alleged that Gupta had appointed 10 assistants to key posts, including director-level positions, allegedly in violation of UGC norms. Controversy also erupted after some employees were reportedly paid salaries higher than that of the Vice Chancellor.

All 10 employees have since been suspended, while an investigation committee has been tasked with examining the allegations.

“We have given the university administration 72 hours to file a police complaint. If action is not taken, NSUI will intensify its agitation,” protesters said.

The allegations are subject to the findings of the ongoing investigation.