Higher Education Department directs private universities to submit audit reports, other details

Following the Supreme Court order, the Higher Education Department has directed all private universities in the State to submit audit reports, student attendance and other details of the last five years.

The Principal Secretary of Higher Education held a meeting with Vice-Chancellors and registrars of private universities on Wednesday to discuss the same.

Some universities submitted the required documents. However, some have raised objections to the attendance details. “The Supreme Court has sought financial and administrative disclosure, but the State government is even asking for students’ attendance data. Some universities have more than 4,000 students. How is it possible to provide attendance data of all the students for the last five years and why is it needed?,” questioned a representative of a private university.

As per the court’s directions, the Chief Secretary of the government has to submit an affidavit before the Supreme Court with the details collected from each of the private universities.

The government is also seeking five-year signed audited financial statements and reports, copies of Income Tax computation and returns filed for the last five years, trial balance, general ledgers, bank statements, cash books, journal registers, investment records, and reconciliation of various opening funds, receipts, utilisation, and closing funds.

“Constitution/establishing law, sponsor/trust/society records, board lists and minutes, related-party declarations, remuneration, and benefits, leases, procurement, and service contracts, land allotment/lease deeds, valuation, and concession records, grants, exemptions, relaxations and attached conditions,” also to be submitted.

Details of course approvals and intake, prospectuses, admission rules, registers, merit/entrance records, fee notices, student ledgers, receipts, refunds, and scholarship records, recruitment files, contacts, service rules, payroll, and bank payments, staff attendance, timetables, class registers, complaint register and case files, committee records and other things also be submitted.