Notice to government, Davangere University

BANGALORE: The High Court, on Monday, issued notices to the state government, Karnataka Police Housing Corporation Limited (KPHCL), CPWD and vice-chancellor and registrar of the Davangere University in connection with transfer of Rs 18 crore violating legal procedures.A division bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice Ashok B Hinchigeri, issued the notice while hearing a petition filed by Karibasavaraju, a resident of Davangere. Raju has challenged the transfer of money by the university to the Central Public Works Department and Karnataka Police Housing Corporation Limited for construction of buildings for an educational institute coming under the jurisdiction of the university.The petitioner contended that it was a clear violation of the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act, 1999. His counsel B Shekarappa stated that according to Section 5 and Section 6 of the Act, any construction award over Rs 5 lakh is required to follow several guidelines like inviting tenders among other things.He submitted that the decision to transfer the money was based on a note dated February, 26, 2011, by the higher education minister. “The money was transferred on March 3, 2011, but strangely an MoU was signed on March 9 and the university got the syndicate’s approval on March 26, 2011,” he contended.