Pune University Audit Report Sparks Debate At Senate Meeting, Eventually Approved

Pune, 2nd December 2024: The first day of the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) Senate meeting saw intense discussions, as members criticized the audit report for the financial year 2023-24, forcing the administration to withhold the report temporarily. The amended report was tabled and subsequently approved on the second day after revisions were made.

The Finance Department acknowledged several errors in the original report and assured the committee that such mistakes would not recur. Following the submission of detailed corrections and clarifications, the members finally approved the amended audit report.

During the session, Senate member Vinayak Ambekar raised significant concerns about the reallocation of funds within the university. He pointed out discrepancies where funds earmarked for specific purposes were reassigned under other categories without sufficient explanation. Ambekar also highlighted irregularities in the recording of donations, emphasizing that the contributions should be attributed correctly to their intended purposes.

The Finance Department, in its response, admitted to certain oversights and provided detailed accounts of the reallocations, addressing most of the members’ concerns. Despite this, some members remained critical, arguing that the report reflected a lack of financial discipline.

Members noted that financial mismanagement had been a recurring issue, with similar concerns raised in the last three meetings. They criticized the administration for its lack of proactive measures to improve financial planning and implementation. Several members called for significant reforms in the university’s financial operations to ensure greater accountability and transparency.

The audit report holds considerable importance, as it must be approved by the Senate under the University Act before being forwarded to the Governor and the state legislature. This year’s Senate proceedings marked the first time in recent history that the university administration faced such significant pushback regarding the audit report.

Ultimately, after amendments and assurances from the Finance Department, the Senate approved the report. However, members emphasized the need for a more disciplined approach to financial management in future audits to avoid similar controversies.