16 years on, PU construction inquiry follows official’s retirement

Chandigarh: With complaints raised since 2009 unsolved for more than 16 years, Panjab University has initiated an inquiry into construction-related issues. According to the official vigilance correspondence, this follows submission of an affidavit by the complainant on the latest complaint.University records show that the affidavit was sought as a procedural requirement before further action could be taken. The inquiry was initiated after the retirement of a senior engineering officer associated with the construction works on June 30, 2025.
The complaints have been pursued by Dr Rajinder K Singla, who has submitted representations, Right to Information applications and formal complaints relating to construction works carried out during the university's expansion phase in sectors 14 and 25, including academic blocks, hostels, guest houses and the multi-purpose auditorium. The documents examined do not record any final finding of fault against any individual.According to the complaints on record, the allegations relate to quality of construction, revisions in cost estimates, delays in completion of projects, availability of sanction and approval records, compliance with statutory requirements, and non-availability of records sought under the RTI Act. These assertions form part of the complaints and have not been adjudicated upon in the records examined.Former executive engineer, R K Rai, who was associated with the construction works during the relevant period, declined to comment.Minutes of a committee meeting held on June 18, 2018, constituted to "enquire into the quality of construction over the last 16 years," record that the committee "found many lapses in the construction work" of several buildings. It recommended that "the persons responsible for the lapses should be identified and responsibility should be fixed" and that "steps should also be taken so that these types of lapses in construction work should not be repeated in future." It also recommended that "technical reports pertaining to all construction may also be placed before the Syndicate."Proceedings of a Syndicate meeting held in Dec 2018 show that the Syndicate accepted the committee's minutes and authorised the vice-chancellor "to constitute a technical committee to examine the issue to suggest guidelines for further constructions and also to identify as to where the fault lies, for fixing responsibility." Records available do not indicate whether the technical committee submitted its findings.When contacted, PU vice-chancellor, Prof Renu Vig said, "A committee to examine construction quality was constituted during the previous vice-chancellor's tenure. The report is still awaited. Pending its submission and consideration, certain retirement benefits of the former official have been withheld in accordance with the rules."RTI replies issued between 2021 and 2024 show that information sought on construction-related matters was frequently stated to be unavailable. In a reply dated Jan 11, 2022, the office of the executive engineer-I informed that while the estimated and sanctioned cost of a construction project stood at Rs 585 lakh, a "sanction of 90 lacs [is] not traceable." Other replies stated that records were "not readily available" or "not traceable at the moment."RTI replies also recorded that renewal of fire and safety certificates was required for certain buildings and that environmental clearances for some sectors were "in the process."Cost statements relating to the multi-purpose auditorium show that the main hall interior design was revised, with figures recorded as "as per revised design equalling Rs 15,06,04,555" and "as per original design, Rs 10,02,43,688," with the increase attributed in the document to revised interior design.In an RTI reply issued in Sept 2024, the public information officer stated that "there is no such work that has been enhanced from Rs 10 Cr to Rs 15 Cr and as such no document is available." The first appellate authority upheld the reply.In May 2025, a fresh complaint consolidating earlier issues was submitted. The university's Vigilance Cell informed the complainant that, as per applicable rules and decisions of the Syndicate, the complaint must be supported by an affidavit before further action could be taken. The affidavit was submitted in Sept 2025.What records show— Complaints related to Panjab University construction works have been raised since 2009— Issues were pursued through representations, RTI applications and appeals over 16 years— A university committee in June 2018 recorded "many lapses in the construction work"— The committee recommended fixing responsibility and placing technical reports before the Syndicate— The Syndicate accepted the committee's minutes in Dec 2018 and authorised further examination— RTI replies between 2021 and 2024 stated that several records were "not readily available" or "not traceable"— An RTI reply in Jan 2022 stated that a Rs 90 lakh sanction was "not traceable"— Cost statements show revision of the multi-purpose auditorium main hall interior design— An RTI reply in Sept 2024 stated that no record of enhancement from Rs 10 crore to Rs 15 crore was available• In 2025, the Vigilance Cell sought an affidavit on the latest complaint as a procedural requirement• The affidavit was submitted in September 2025, after which an inquiry was initiated