₹11.19 crore spent on non-functional ERP system at Himachal Pradesh University

It focused on institutional gaps in higher education, regulation of mines and minerals, execution of minor irrigation schemes, and the utilization of disaster response funds.

Who it concerns: Government of Himachal Pradesh (specifically Himachal Pradesh University, Department of Industries, Jal Shakti Vibhag, and Department of Revenue)

What the auditor found

• Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) faced a 27-37% faculty shortage during 2020-23.
• HPU appointed 186 staff members without verifying EWS certificates or educational qualifications.
• Three high-value Physics instruments costing ₹1.99 crore remained non-functional due to poor maintenance since 2015, 2017, and 2021.
• An ERP system costing ₹11.19 crore had 30 out of 37 modules non-functional as of September 2023.
• 11 out of 16 UGC Chairs at HPU remained non-functional for one to 25 years.
• The Department of Industries did not prepare Annual Action Plans for any of the five years from 2018-19 to 2022-23.
• 14 out of 73 mineral concession applications were decided late, with delays ranging from 71 to 1,184 days beyond the allowed period.
• No functioning Central Flying Squad or GPS-based tracking of mineral transport was in place despite statutory requirements.
• CAG recommended fast-tracking faculty recruitment, restoring core teaching infrastructure, and re-energizing curriculum governance at HPU.

Also in the document

• ₹11.19 crore was spent on an ERP system at Himachal Pradesh University, but 30 of its 37 modules were non-functional and unutilized as of September 2023.
• ₹1.99 crore worth of scientific instruments (Scanning Electron Microscope, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer) at HPU have been non-functional for up to 8 years due to poor maintenance.
• The Department of Industries failed to compile a scientifically derived inventory of mineral reserves in four sampled districts, undermining evidence-based planning.
• HPU had a 27-37% faculty shortage during 2020-23, a issue previously highlighted in a 2013 CAG report, which continued to limit student mentorship and increase workloads.