The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has identified significant financial and administrative irregularities at Hansraj College in Delhi, including unclaimed student deposits amounting to nearly Rs 3.68 crore, a severe shortage of teaching and non-teaching staff, and contingent advances worth lakhs that have remained unsettled for years. The findings are based on an audit report covering the period from 2021-22 to 2023-24, obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
Unclaimed Student Deposits Amount to Rs 3.67 Crore
As of March 31, 2024, the college held Rs 3.67 crore in refundable student-related deposits. This includes Rs 3.59 crore in refundable student security fees collected at the time of admission and Rs 7.95 lakh in hostel caution deposits. The audit report noted that these amounts were lying unclaimed, raising concerns about the college's financial management and its obligation to former students.
“The audit observed that refundable student security fees and hostel caution deposits amounting to Rs 3.67 crore were lying unclaimed,” the report stated. The CAG recommended that the college refund the money to former students at the earliest opportunity.
College Explains Procedure for Unclaimed Funds
Responding to the audit observations, Hansraj College Principal Prof Rama explained the institution's prescribed process for handling unclaimed deposits. “We have to wait for three years for students to claim their refundable security deposits. The college makes efforts to contact the students concerned and refund the amount. If the money remains unclaimed even after the stipulated period, it can be utilised for college development activities such as construction of hostels, infrastructure enhancement and other student-centric facilities, but only after following the prescribed procedure, obtaining the necessary approvals from the competent authorities and complying with the university regulations,” she said.
Manpower Shortage Affects College Functioning
The audit also highlighted a continuing manpower crisis at the college. Against a sanctioned strength of 435 teaching and non-teaching posts, only 345 employees were in position as of March 2024, leaving 90 vacancies unfilled. However, these figures differ from those in the college's latest National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) submission, which lists 316 sanctioned posts.
Principal Prof Rama attributed the discrepancy to different reporting methodologies. “In the CAG audit, we are required to include guest teachers who have been serving continuously for a considerable period while calculating the overall manpower position. The methodology followed for NIRF reporting is different, which results in variations in the sanctioned strength and vacancy figures reflected in the two reports,” she explained.
The audit observed that vacancies in teaching and non-teaching positions were affecting the functioning of the college and recommended that the vacant posts be filled at the earliest.
Need for Improved Financial Management and Internal Controls
The audit underscored the need for improved financial management, timely settlement of outstanding accounts, stronger internal controls, and expedited recruitment to critical teaching and non-teaching positions. These measures are essential to enhance accountability and administrative efficiency at the college. The CAG's findings highlight systemic issues that require immediate attention to ensure proper use of student funds and optimal staffing levels for quality education.
