University of Rajasthan Land Transfer Dispute Escalates Amid Protests
In Jaipur, a significant controversy has erupted as retired employees of the University of Rajasthan have launched protests against the transfer of land belonging to Maharaja College and Maharani College to the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) and Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC). The situation intensified on Friday when Vice-Chancellor Alpana Kateja addressed the issue, emphasizing the university administration's strict stance on asset management and its collaboration with district authorities to correct what she termed an administrative error.
Administrative Error Leads to Land Records Mix-Up
Speaking to TOI, Vice-Chancellor Alpana Kateja revealed that the university discovered in July last year that due to an error by an official in the district administration, the land records of these two constituent colleges were incorrectly recorded as revenue land. This mistake resulted in the properties being transferred under the jurisdiction of urban bodies JDA and JMC, without the university's knowledge or consent. Kateja stated, "We learnt that due to an error by an official in the district administration, the land records of two constituent colleges of the University of Rajasthan were recorded as revenue land and transferred under the jurisdiction of urban bodies JDA and JMC."
She further explained that the university promptly wrote to the district administration in July and is actively working to amend the land records. "The university is very strict about its assets, and we are working to rectify this error. It should get resolved soon," Kateja added, expressing optimism about a swift resolution.
Retired Employees Threaten Legal Action Over Asset Transfer
The retired employees have voiced strong opposition to the land transfer, warning that they will approach the courts if the records are not corrected. They argue that such a transfer could adversely impact the funds received by higher education institutes from the Central government, potentially jeopardizing the university's financial stability and academic operations.
Bhupendra Singh Shekhawat, former public relations officer of Rajasthan University, has taken a formal step by writing a letter to the Vice-Chancellor. In his communication, he demanded that a special meeting of the University Syndicate be convened to pass a resolution and send it to the Raj Bhavan and the Rajasthan government. Shekhawat highlighted a critical procedural lapse, stating, "The University Syndicate's permission is mandatory before any property belonging to RU is transferred to another institution. However, the university administration was not informed in this case."
Adding to the pressure, Professor Somdev, President of the University Pensioners' Association, issued a stern warning. He said, "If the state government does not take immediate action regarding this illegal transfer, a public interest litigation will be filed on behalf of the Pensioners' Association." This threat underscores the retirees' determination to protect the university's assets through legal means if necessary.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Developments
The dispute highlights broader concerns about administrative transparency and asset management in educational institutions. As the university administration works with district officials to rectify the error, the retired employees remain vigilant, ensuring that their protests and potential legal actions keep the issue in the public eye. The outcome of this conflict could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future, emphasizing the importance of proper documentation and communication in land transfers involving public educational assets.
