KATHMANDU, Sept 15: Prime Minister KP Oli who is also the chancellor of Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU) scolded the vice-chancellor (VC), rector and registrar of the university over the controversy surrounding the affiliations issued to private colleges and for tabling 'controversial' proposals at the university senate meeting.

Speaking at the senate meeting of AFU held on Friday at the PM's Residence, Baluwatar, Oli scolded the university officials including VC Prof Dr Ishwari Prasad Dhakal, according to a senate member.

Two months ago, AFU granted affiliations to eight private colleges which did not meet the required criteria. The students and teaching staff protested against the move for a month. Then the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology scrapped the university's decision to issue affiliations to the private colleges. However, the colleges moved the court against the ministry's  decision and the case is currently subjudice.

PM Oli lambasted the university officials at the meeting over the controversial decisions, said Associate Professor Dr Ishwari Kadariya, a senate member of AFU. "PM Oli also quashed the controversial proposals tabled at the senate meeting," he added.

According to Dr Kadariya, also director at the Center for Biotechnology of the university, the university had proposed providing 20 bighas of land owned by the university to the Dhurmus-Suntali Foundation for building an international cricket stadium without completing the official process. Similarly, the university proposed taking action against the university staff including Dr Kadariya for opposing the issuance of affiliations to the private colleges.

Likewise, capital expenditure of the university was only Rs 140 million instead of the required Rs 360 million in the past year while current expenditure was Rs 460 million against 55 percent (Rs 310 million). 

The senate meeting held on Friday withdrew all these controversial decisions, said Dr Kadariya. "The budget and programs were approved as per basic fiscal rules this time," he added. "Like medical education, this sector, too, is being commercialized in the interest of the private sector."

The senate meeting estimated a total budget of Rs 1.84 billion including Rs 826.4 million as capital expenditure (45 percent), Rs 972.1 million as current expenditure and Rs 50 million purchase cost for the current fiscal year of 2018/19.

 
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