CAG finds ₹11.19 crore in non-functional ERP system modules at Himachal Pradesh University

This audit examined the compliance and performance of the Government of Himachal Pradesh, specifically focusing on the Himachal Pradesh University, the Department of Industries (mining and minerals), the Department of Water Resources (minor irrigation), and the Department of Revenue (disaster funds) for the period ending March 2023.

Who it concerns: Government of Himachal Pradesh; Himachal Pradesh University; Department of Industries; Department of Water Resources; Department of Revenue.

What the auditor found

• Himachal Pradesh University had a faculty shortage of 27-37% between 2020-21 and 2022-23.
• The university appointed an ineligible assistant professor, violating UGC regulations.
• Verification of EWS certificates and educational qualifications was not performed for 186 appointments made between 2020-23.
• Three physics instruments costing ₹1.99 crore (Scanning Electron Microscope, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, Vibrating Sample Magnetometer) became non-functional due to poor maintenance since 2015, 2017, and 2021.
• 30 out of 37 modules of an Enterprise Resource Planning system costing ₹11.19 crore were non-functional as of December 2023.
• Only 51% of classrooms in the university were ICT-enabled.
• The Department of Industries did not prepare annual work plans for mining regulation for any year between 2018-19 and 2022-23.
• Decisions on 14 out of 73 mining lease applications were delayed by 71 to 1,184 days beyond the prescribed three-year period.
• Mineral contribution to tax-free revenue rose from ₹221.04 crore in 2018-19 to ₹286.34 crore in 2022-23.

Also in the document

• CAG found that ₹11.19 crore worth of ERP system modules were non-functional, hindering academic and administrative processes.
• CAG reported that high-value laboratory equipment costing ₹1.99 crore was rendered useless due to lack of maintenance.
• CAG noted that the university failed to verify qualifications for 186 faculty appointments, including the appointment of an ineligible professor.
• CAG observed that the Department of Industries lacked annual work plans for mining regulation for the entire five-year audit period (2018-19 to 2022-23).