Accusing current Orissa University of Agriculture Technology (OUAT) Vice-Chancellor Manoranjan Kar and his predecessor DP Ray of drawing pension illegally with the help of some Raj Bhavan employees, a city-based lawyer has petitioned the Governor and Chancellor of the Universities for action against the concerned officials.
“As per OUAT Stature-42 the lion of a university employee will be suspended to a permanent post outside the cadre. Thus, a VC, who is not an employee of OUAT as per statute, can’t get lion. But your officers had granted lion to former OUAT VC Prof DP Ray for availing pension. At that time, it was stated that the Chancellor had directed for the same,” stated the petition filed by advocate Jitendra Kumar Das. It was also alleged that current OUAT VC Prof Manoranjan Kar is availing pension and dearness allowance (DA).
“Despite OUAT Stature-42, as per the Finance Department order dated 21.04.2009, one is entitled for DA if he gets grade pay and dearness allowance. Therefore, the Chancellor’s office giving DA to the OUAT VC, who enjoys a fixed pay, is highly illegal,” the petitioner contended. Meanwhile, Rajib Giri, one of the applicants who had faced interview for the OUAT Placement Officer post, has also lodged a complaint with the Agriculture Department Secretary alleging that the selection process for Placement Officer was done in an arbitrary manner.