4 months ago
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The Centre for Latin American Studies (CLAS) astatine Kerala University has recovered itself astatine the centre of a contention implicit the alleged fiscal irregularities related to remunerations paid to a overseas writer for online lectures conducted 3 years ago.
The contented pertains to a two-week summertime schoolhouse programme organised betwixt May 15, 2023, and May 27, 2023 for undergraduate and postgraduate students from affiliated colleges and departments of assorted universities.
Following the programme, CLAS Director Girish Kumar R. had requested the State Bank of India (SBI) Karyavattom subdivision to remit an magnitude equivalent to ₹20,000 successful U.S. Dollars from the centre’s relationship arsenic honorarium for the Brazil-based writer who delivered 4 online lectures.
However, the slope erroneously made a remittance of $20,000 to the Bank of America. It was lone immoderate weeks aboriginal that CLAS detected the lack of ₹16,51,500 from its slope account. With SBI failing to callback the amount, Dr. Kumar approached the RBI’s Banking Ombudsman. Notably, the writer maintained that helium had reversed the transaction connected being informed of the folly, but the centre is yet to person the amount.
Meanwhile, the slope acknowledged its mistake successful an authoritative communication, successful which it claimed inability successful recalling the excess wealth from the Bank of America contempt repeated requests. While requesting CLAS to interaction the beneficiary to question refund of the excess amount, the slope besides pledged steps to retrieve the sum from its officials who were progressive successful the erroneous money transfer.
V-C warns of ineligible action
The Syndicate had constituted a sub-committee to analyse the contented and recommended that the manager beryllium exempted from immoderate disciplinary proceedings successful its caller meeting. However, Vice-Chancellor in-charge Mohanan Kunnummal rejected the subcommittee’s recommendation, and besides directed that those liable for the nonaccomplishment indispensable beryllium identified. He besides called for ineligible steps to retrieve the amount.
Save University Campaign Committee has petitioned the Governor to question a Vigilance probe connected the issue. Organisation president R.S. Sasikumar claimed that transportation of the ample sum to a overseas nationalist without obtaining mandatory approvals from the competent authorities of the assemblage constituted a superior lapse successful fiscal subject and administrative responsibility. He besides alleged that the peculiar nonaccomplishment was kept undisclosed for astir 3 years.
Rejecting allegations of foul play, Dr. Kumar said that the mistake occurred owed to a superior lapse connected the portion of the bank. The substance has besides been brought to the attraction of the assemblage authorities, and ineligible enactment is being pursued against the slope implicit the lapse.
