The Delhi government has launched a special audit of 12 Delhi University (DU) colleges, which are fully funded by the state, to probe allegations of financial irregularities raised by Chief Minister Atishi. The audit aims to examine the financial management and possible misappropriations in these institutions, following concerns about the use of public funds.
The Directorate of Audit has assembled an eight-member team to carry out the special audit, following the submission of a status report by a high-level committee. The audit will scrutinize the financial operations of the colleges, looking for any discrepancies or procedural violations.
Audit initiated by Delhi government
In an official order dated September 27, the Audit Department instructed the Directorate of Higher Education to ensure that the concerned colleges provide the necessary records to facilitate the audit. The audit is intended to focus on financial procedures and spending practices, aiming to clarify whether the colleges have been managing the funds in a transparent and accountable manner.
“I am directed to convey the approval of Competent Authority for conducting a Special Audit on the examination of issues related to 12 colleges (fully funded by the Delhi Government) affiliated with the University of Delhi, as per the status report of the High-Level Committee,” the order said.
It further emphasized that the colleges must provide all relevant financial documents and offer logistical support to the audit team. This includes sitting arrangements and secretarial assistance to ensure the audit proceeds smoothly.
Background of the allegations
The special audit comes in the wake of accusations raised by Atishi, who, in December last year, flagged concerns about financial irregularities in these colleges. The irregularities reportedly involved procedural lapses amounting to hundreds of crores of rupees. Atishi had called for a closer investigation into how the colleges managed the funds provided by the Delhi government, questioning their financial transparency.
Atishi had further suggested two possible solutions to address these concerns: either merging the colleges under the control of the Delhi government or allowing the central government to take full charge of these institutions, which would result in the Delhi government ceasing to fund them.
Colleges under scrutiny
The 12 DU colleges under audit are fully funded by the Delhi government and have long been considered prestigious institutions. These include several prominent colleges that serve thousands of students every year. The audit will assess how funds have been utilized for infrastructure, salaries, scholarships, and other academic activities.
The colleges have previously faced criticism for alleged mismanagement of finances, especially with regard to how funds from the public exchequer have been utilized. The special audit is expected to provide clarity on these matters and, if any discrepancies are found, lead to corrective measures to ensure proper financial governance.
University’s response and findings
In response to Atishi’s allegations, Delhi University had previously set up a 10-member committee to investigate the claims of financial mismanagement. Last month, the committee presented its findings during a joint meeting of the Academic Council (AC) and the Executive Council (EC) of DU. The committee’s report concluded that no financial irregularities were found in the 12 colleges, contradicting the allegations raised by the Delhi government.
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Following the report, DU requested the state government to consider the committee’s findings and urged Atishi to withdraw her letter to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, in which she had suggested the de-affiliation of the 12 colleges.
Future course of action
The special audit initiated by the Delhi government will take into account the findings of both the high-level committee and the DU investigation. The Directorate of Audit will submit its report following the completion of the investigation, which could lead to further actions depending on the outcomes. If the audit uncovers significant irregularities, it could result in reforms in how funds are allocated and managed within these colleges.
The university, for its part, has expressed hope that the audit will reaffirm the findings of its internal investigation, which found no wrongdoing in the financial practices of the colleges.
The special audit ordered by the Delhi government marks an important step in addressing concerns over financial transparency and accountability in the 12 DU colleges it funds. As the investigation progresses, it remains to be seen whether the audit will uncover any procedural lapses or confirm the clean slate reported by Delhi University. For now, the colleges are expected to fully cooperate with the audit team to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation.
