Shafiqul Islam (Shafiq)
Due to untimely completion of development projects in most of the public universities, the time and cost of project implementation is increasing. The audit is facing objections due to the increase in expenditure due to lack of proper financial discipline.
The Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) has suggested that work on university development projects be started and completed on time to get out of the cycle of increasing time and cost. The UGC also said that a comprehensive financial policy, pre-audit and monitoring cell would be set up to reduce the audit objections in public universities to zero. The suggestion was made at the inaugural function of a day-long training on ‘Audit Planning and Implementation’ of public universities at UGC on Monday.
UGC member Prof. Md. Abu Taher presided over the program and UGC member Professor Dil Afroza Begum spoke as the chief guest. UGC member Professor Md. Sajjad Hossain, Professor Muhammad Alamgir, Professor Dr. Biswajit Chanda and AHM Shamsur Rahman, Director General of the Audit Department for Education, Culture and Religion spoke as special guests at the opening ceremony. The inaugural function was conducted by Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Deputy Director, Finance and Accounts Department, UGC. Dr. Ferdous Zaman delivered the welcome address at the opening ceremony. The head of UGC’s department and officials from the finance and accounting department were present at the time. The event was attended by the head of the audit cell of the country’s public universities and concerned officials.
Speaking as the chief guest, Professor Dil Afroza Begum said that development projects in most public universities are not being completed on time. As a result, with the extension of the project duration, the cost is also increasing. Advises the university authorities to start and finish the development project work on time to ensure proper use of funds. She said that a huge amount of unspent money is being spent every year due to misuse of funds allocated in the revenue budget. Through this the ability and incompetence of the university is being proved. She said the UGC’s audit monitoring cell would be strengthened to reduce audit objections to zero by establishing financial discipline in public universities.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Abu Taher said that transparency and accountability should be ensured at any cost in the financial expenditure of public universities. Nowhere in the law of public universities is financial autonomy given. Appropriate action will be taken against those who bypass the existing laws and regulations and provide facilities outside the financial rules subject to investigation. He advised to reduce expenditure in the development budget very carefully.
