JNTUH warns staff against corruption, bribery
HYDERABAD: Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad (JNTUH) has warned its teaching and non-teaching staff against corruption, unauthorised financial transactions and fraudulent practices, saying strict disciplinary action, including suspension and dismissal from service, will be taken against those found guilty.
Registrar issues warning against unethical practices
In a circular issued on July 20, JNTUH Registrar Dr A. Jaya Laxmi said the university had received information that some employees were violating rules, engaging in unauthorised transactions and accepting bribes from vendors in return for favours. The circular also stated that some staff members were allegedly collecting money from colleagues.
“Corruption, illegal activities and fraudulent practices will not be tolerated. Any employee found indulging in such activities will face suspension and removal from service. Every employee must discharge duties with ethical standards, transparency and accountability,” the Registrar said.
Circular follows allegations over university operations
JNTUH is among the country’s prominent technological universities and has around 250 affiliated private engineering, pharmacy and management colleges. The university oversees inspections, affiliation, seat approvals, additional intake permissions and examination-related processes. It also manages constituent campuses at Rajanna Sircilla, Wanaparthy, Palair and Mahabubabad.
The university’s expanding administrative responsibilities, including tenders, procurement and infrastructure works, have led to recurring allegations that some teaching and non-teaching staff were misusing these processes for personal gain. Allegations have also surfaced that a few faculty members amassed substantial wealth through corrupt practices.
University sources said these issues prompted the Registrar to issue the written warning. While reports of corruption at JNTUH have appeared in the media in the past, the latest circular is being viewed as the university’s first formal acknowledgement of concerns over unethical practices.
When contacted, the Registrar said no specific cases of corruption or irregularities had been officially established. However, she said the circular was intended to caution employees against engaging in such activities. She added that the circular had been circulated to all departments and employees’ signatures had been obtained after its communication.
Allegations highlighted in the report
Among the allegations cited are demands for ₹4 lakh from some private colleges during the affiliation process. A senior professor who was part of an inspection team allegedly sought the money, with college managements reportedly paying to avoid reductions in sanctioned seats.
The report also alleges that faculty ratification, promotions in private colleges and postgraduate project viva examinations were turned into sources of illegal income.
Separate allegations relate to university engineering works, with claims that hostel mess contracts were awarded only after payments were made to certain officials. Audio recordings purportedly featuring an official discussing such arrangements with a contractor reportedly surfaced recently.
In another instance, a contractor was initially declared ineligible for a college building project before the tender was cancelled and reissued, after which the same contractor secured the work.
The report further alleges that, in a recent procurement of laboratory equipment through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal, the lowest bidder was later disqualified after the tender process was reopened.
