Varsity to scrutinise contractors’ bills

IUB faces financial crunch despite manifold increase in students, fees

BAHAWALPUR:

The Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB) has incurred a debt of more than Rs4 billion allegedly due to bogus bills and development schemes in recent years.

According to sources in the university, the new administration of the institution has decided to investigate the payments made during the tenure of the previous vice chancellor.

However, they alleged, some local influential people and officials had intervened, suggesting that the payment to contractors be delayed to avoid an investigation.

The contractors facing action have also submitted applications against university officials to anti-corruption agencies, including the FIA.

The university administration has decided to investigate the past development work and billing in view of its worsening financial condition.

The officials concerned have also moved to take step to prevent corruption in the university in future.

An official said the contractors had offered to agree to a delay the payments rather than facing scrutiny of the bills and the work.

However, the university administration is determined that only the bills approved by an inspection committee will be paid.

An official said the number of students in the university had increased from 13,000 to 65,000 during the past four years, while the fees had been doubled.

A financial report shows that annual budget for repair and maintenance was Rs81 million four years ago, which has increased to Rs482 million and Rs1.528 billion has been spent under the head during the period.

A committee had been formed by the South Punjab Higher Education Department to probe into alleged corruption in the university, whose detailed report submitted to the chief minister has been forwarded to Governor Mian Balighur Rehman.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 18^th, 2023.