Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jul 10: Mangalore University is under scrutiny after an internal report revealed a financial loss of approximately Rs 26 crore due to the unauthorised recruitment of 359 contract and temporary staff between 2018 and 2023. The excess appointments, reportedly made without syndicate or state government approval, were flagged during a recent government audit.

Syndicate member Raghuraj, who raised the issue, stated that the actual financial loss could exceed Rs 30 crore. “We have asked the finance department to re-calculate and present an updated report in the next syndicate meeting. We’ve also sought the original syndicate approval order for the appointments. An inquiry into the matter will be proposed,” he said.

Following the audit, the government instructed the university to reduce staff numbers. In compliance, the university terminated the services of 144 temporary employees, mostly clerical and below-rank posts, according to finance officer Y Sangappa. He added that only 230 contractual and temporary staff now remain, who are considered essential for operations.

Sangappa further noted that the university has 476 sanctioned non-teaching and 273 teaching posts, many of which are either vacant due to retirement or are expected to fall vacant soon. The university is also struggling financially, with no sufficient funds to cover retirement benefits. For the 2024–25 academic year, 24 staff members have retired, and nearly Rs 14 crore is required to settle their dues.

The revelations have sparked calls for greater accountability and financial discipline at the cash-strapped institution.