City College tried to dupe UGC of Rs 1.8 cr

Poona College of Arts Science & Commerce had allegedly sent forged documents to the UGC seeking grant for construction of a ladies hostel on land that doesn't belong to them

City College tried to dupe UGC of Rs 1.8 cr

Poona College of Arts Science & Commerce had allegedly sent forged documents to the UGC seeking grant for construction of a ladies hostel on land that doesn't belong to them

Setting an appalling example for its students, Poona College of Arts, Science and Commerce had allegedly tried to dupe University Grants Commission (UGC) of Rs 1.8 crore. The college had allegedly sent fake documents to the UGC seeking grant for construction of a ladies hostel on land that doesn't belong to them.

The documents in possession of MiD DAY clearly indicate that the college had fraudulently claimed ownership of a piece of land in Khondhwa (Survey No 49, Hissa No 183) and sought a grant over the same. However, the real owner of the land is a party from Mumbai.

The matter came to light when Sayyad Abdul Kadar Rahmatullah, former librarian of the college, wrote a letter to the UGC complaining that the proposal sent by the Poona College through University of Pune (UoP) was actually a sham.

Acting upon his complaint, the UGC directed the UoP to form a committee and conduct an inquiry into the matter. And after the inquiry, it was found that the allegations of Rahmatullah were true. Consequently, the committee submitted it's report on November 24, 2008 that stated "The proposal submitted by the principal of Poona college for obtaining 50 per cent grant of the total estimate for the said construction is false and misleading."

Pandit Vidyasagar, chairman of the Board of College and University Development, which looks after the development of colleges and campus, when contacted, said, "Our job was to submit the report of inquiry committee to the UGC. Now it's up to the UGC to decide what action they want to take against the college."

When MiD DAY spoke to Dr Mohammad Qudratullah, the then principal of Poona College, who had submitted the application, he denied having sent any fake proposal to the UGC. Incidentally, Dr Qudratullah was suspended for violating the model code of conduct during the Lok Sabha polls.

While, Sayeeda Dadarkar, the joint secretary of Anjuman Khairul Islam Trust, which manages the college, and who approved Dr Qudratullah to sign all documents on behalf of the trust, denied having any knowledge about the proposal.