The Central University of Gujarat has incurred “avoidable” over Rs 20 lakh expenditure by non-inviting tenders to conduct the online examination. The recent audit report of the university, accessed by DNA, has exposed malpractices being undertaken with regards to expenditure. The report prepared by Indian Audit and Accounts Department found discrepancies and favouritism with regards to a particular bidder who was given the tender without following a process. The report mentioned: The CUG conducts entrance examinations for admission to students in respect of different courses across various centres in India. Till the year, 2014-15 entrance examination was conducted in offline mode. From the year 2015-16, the CUG decided to conduct the exam in online mode in compliance to the instructions of UGC. During the audit, it was seen that the CUG had awarded the work of conducting the online examination for the academic year 2015-16 to M/s Logisys Bangalore on nomination basis without floating a tender. The payments made to such work was Rs 17,31,888. Again for academic year 2016-17, M/s Logisys, Bangalore was invited to conduct the examination without calling for any tender and the total cost was Rs 20,82,000. However, for the year 2017-18, the CUG prepared tender specifications and floated tenders and finalized Ms Confisec Private Limited, Noida as L1 and awarded the work. The cost incurred then was Rs 11,52,004. In connection, it was observed that the online test charges for years 2015-16 and 2016-17 quoted by M/s Logysys Banglore (Rs 900 per student) were more than double the rates quoted through tender by Ms Confisec Private Limited (Rs 375 per student) for the academic year 2017-18. This is clearly indicating that the prices paid for the academic years 2015-16 and 2016-17 were on higher side. Thus, due to non-inviting of tenders, the CUG had to incur an avoidable expenditure of Rs 20,62000, the report said. The report further stated that the CUG in their reply cited avoidance of delays as one of the reasons to award the tender to M/s Logisys, Bangalore. The reply of management isn’t acceptable, it said. DNA tried to contact the V-C SA Bari, but there was no response from his side. A student said there have been a lot of discrepancies going on in the university and the audit report has exposed all including scrutinizing training of contract employees, electricity bill, training to a person who was on the verge of retirement, PhD, etc.

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