Vadodara: A Right to Information (RTI) application has revealed that the foreign trips of the former Vice-Chancellor (VC) of a Vadodara university, Dr. Vijay Srivastava, cost the institution ₹21 lakh during his tenure. The RTI, filed by Kapil Joshi, a former Senate member of the Faculty of Social Work, sought details of expenses incurred during the VC’s international travels. The information obtained indicates that Dr. Srivastava visited the UK, Japan, Italy, and France between 2022 and 2024, with some faculty members accompanying him on these trips. While the university administration provided details of the foreign travel expenses, they refused to disclose information regarding the VC’s domestic travel and related costs, leading to controversy and speculation.

Further information from the RTI reveals that the university spent approximately ₹1.25 crore on the former VC’s salary, provident fund, and allowances. Additionally, ₹9.18 lakh was spent on his official car, ₹1.59 lakh on medical expenses, ₹17.24 lakh on the salaries of staff at the VC’s bungalow, and ₹3.44 lakh on the bungalow’s electricity bills. The total expenditure related to the former VC amounted to ₹31.64 lakh. Concerns have been raised regarding the benefits of the VC’s foreign trips to the university and its students, and the refusal to disclose domestic travel expenses has sparked questions about transparency. It has also come to light that the VC’s bungalow, Dhanvantari, had five to six security guards deployed around the clock. While university officials deny providing personal security to any official, sources suggest these security personnel were paid directly or indirectly by the university.

Former VC finally vacates University’s bungalow

Students of Maharaja Sayajirao University (MSU) celebrated as the former Vice-Chancellor (VC), Dr. Vijaykumar Srivastava, finally vacated the official residence, the Dhanvantari-VC bungalow, after a prolonged struggle. The students’ victory comes after months of protests and demands for the former VC to vacate the premises.

The MSU administration had issued an ultimatum to Dr. Srivastava on February 22nd, demanding he vacate the bungalow. However, the former VC reportedly ignored the university’s order, escalating the situation. Senator Dr. Hemang Joshi also sent an urgent email to the former VC, urging him to uphold the university’s dignity and vacate the bungalow in the interest of the student community.

Normally, a former VC is given 30 days to vacate the official residence after their term ends, with an additional seven days allowed for moving belongings. Despite this established procedure and the lapse of two months beyond the allotted time, Dr. Srivastava failed to vacate the bungalow, prompting student protests.

“We were forced to start a protest movement,” stated student leader Parth Pandya. “With the VC finally vacating the bungalow, our struggle has been successful.”