Ksou VC To Challenge State Governament Order To Freeze Varsity’s Bank Accounts

BENGALUR: Hosting a 3-day International Academic Conference to commemorate 60 years of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s historical lectures on Ekatma Manav Darshan on its campus proved costly for the Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) in Mysuru city after the State Government ordered freezing of Open University accounts citing financial irregularities.

However, in its order on Tuesday, the State Government said, “It has come to the notice of the State Government that prima facie financial irregularities have been observed at the Karnataka State Open University (KSOU), Mysuru, and the matter is under investigation.”

In the order added to protect public funds and ensure the integrity of the investigation, the Secretary to Government, Department for Higher Education, was requested to freeze (debt freeze) all bank accounts of the University, including linked accounts, until further notice.

Meanwhile, the conference organized by Prajna Pravah and Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation started on Wednesday. Sources stated that both the organizers of the conference at the KSOU campus are affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and a clear instruction has come from the State Government to the Open University not to allow the conference.

Sources said that the State Government has contacted KSOU Vice-Chancellor Dr. He said a notice was sent to Sharanappa Halase seeking clarification on the university hosting the conference on its campus, against the orders of the State Government. However, the Vice-Chancellor’s statement did not satisfy the State Government, which ordered the accounts to be frozen.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, KSOU Vice-Chancellor Dr. Sharanappa Halase said he would consult legal experts on what action to take in future against the State Government’s decision to freeze the university’s bank accounts. Legal experts will be consulted on Thursday.

KSOU Vice-Chancellor described the State Government’s action of freezing bank accounts as ‘a reflection of the conference held on its campus’. Halase questioned the rationale behind the State Government’s decision to freeze KSOU’s bank accounts and said, “The order was issued without following procedures.”

The Vice Rector claimed that the conference on the campus was academic and had nothing to do with politics, and said, “This is a philosophical program.”