Delhi Govt Orders Audit Amid Financial Mismanagement Allegations in DU Colleges

The Delhi government has launched a special audit of 12 DU colleges fully funded by it to investigate financial irregularities. The Directorate of Audit has assigned an eight-member team for this task. Despite a committee's report finding no evidence of mismanagement, the audit will proceed as directed by Chief Minister Atishi.

The Delhi government has initiated a special audit of 12 Delhi University (DU) colleges that are fully funded by it, aiming to scrutinize allegations of financial irregularities brought to light by Chief Minister Atishi.

The Directorate of Audit has dispatched an eight-member team to undertake this special audit, following a status report submitted by a high-level committee. An order issued last week by the Audit department directed the Secretary of the Directorate of Higher Education to ensure that all relevant records are made available to the audit team. '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,' read the order dated September 27.

The order further mandated that the concerned colleges provide all necessary records, seating arrangements, and secretarial assistance to the audit team.

In a recent joint meeting, the Academic Council (AC) and Executive Council (EC) of DU unanimously accepted the findings of a 10-member committee that found no financial irregularities in the 12 colleges, contrary to Atishi's claims. The university plans to request the state government to consider the committee's recommendations and has also demanded that Atishi retract her letter to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, in which she suggested de-affiliation of these colleges. Last December, Atishi highlighted 'irregularities' in the colleges, citing procedural lapses involving hundreds of crores of rupees from the public exchequer and suggested the possibility of either merging the colleges under the Delhi government or allowing the Centre to take full control.

(With inputs from agencies.)