The University Grants Commission (UGC) has warned that it will take action over financial irregularities at public universities.
UGC Chairman Prof Shahidullah issued the cautionary message while addressing a two-day budget meeting of public universities at the UGC Auditorium on Sunday.
The university regulatory body of the country also called for the discontinuation of muster rolls and contract-based recruitment at public universities.
The UGC chairman said financial irregularities at public universities will not be tolerated and action will be taken against anyone involved in financial wrongdoing.
Regarding the UGC’s expectations for the public universities, he said: “We want to ensure transparency, accountability, and proper use of resources at public universities.”
On the autonomy of public universities, the UGC chairman said academic and financial freedom are not the same thing.
“Every university has its own laws, policies, and regulations that must be followed. Money is the lifeblood of any institution. If there is no discipline in that regard, a university cannot be run properly,” he added.
He continued: “There is no scope of taking advantage of arbitrary interpretations of the law. If the vice-chancellor (VC) steps out of line regarding financial matters, it is your [the treasurer and director of finance’s] responsibility to inform him/her first. If the VC commits any wrongdoing even after that, then he or she will be held responsible.
“If there is external pressure on you [treasurer and director of finance] to do certain work and if the matter is not settled through the law of the university, you can seek advice from the UGC,” he added.
“Proper implementation of the budget has to be ensured. Money allocated for one sector cannot be used for another — it is unacceptable,” the UGC chairman said.
Prof Abu Taher, a member of the UGC, urged the authorities concerned not to spend money on public universities unnecessarily in light of the pandemic.
The directors of finance and budget officers of 23 public universities participated in the meeting. The revised budget for the fiscal year 2020-2021 and the original budget for the fiscal year 2021-2022 were among the topics discussed.