Aizawl: A college under Mizoram’s Higher and Technical Education department made irregular salary payments totalling Rs 2.02 crore to an associate professor during his unauthorised absence, a Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) report tabled in the state legislature on Aug 27 said.A test check at Govt Kolasib College found that the professor’s salary was paid after deductions were made and the amounts given to substitutes during his absence.The principal reported that Rs 20,000, Rs 30,000 or Rs 50,000 was deducted from the professor’s salary and paid to substitutes from March 2017 to July 2024, except in February and March 2019. The total paid was Rs 25.80 lakh.The audit found no record that the matter had been reported to higher authorities or approval obtained for engaging substitutes. It said the payment contravened Fundamental Rule 17(1), under which an officer absent without authorisation is not entitled to pay and allowances.Govt said an inquiry found that proxy engagement had been arranged in good faith for students because the professor, who suffered a head injury in an accident on Feb 2, 2001, was unable to perform his duties regularly.Govt said the arrangement followed a verbal decision by the principal and college executive committee. It said his salary was later credited directly to his bank account and his voluntary retirement was under process.CAG rejected the reply, saying it did not address recovery or whether he had resumed duty, and recommended recovery and disciplinary action.
