Bhubaneswar: The vice-chancellor (VC) of Utkal University Soumendra Mohan Patnaik has been given additional charge of Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) VC after Surendranath Pasupalak was sent on leave Thursday over graft charges.
Earlier, it was decided to assign principal secretary to Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment department, Saurabh Garg, the additional charge as VC at the OUAT.
“I have been given the charge and will take up my new assignment very soon. I will involve myself in the developmental work of the university,” Patnaik told the media here.
Patnaik will remain the in-charge OUAT VC until a new appointment is made, said a Raj Bhawan communiqué.
Earlier, The Governor has removed Pasupalak from his position with immediate effect after corruption charges were leveled against him by the former assistant registrar of the varsity.
Pasupalak, in his reaction, had called a press meet Wednesday and said that as a disciplined person he wanted to keep mum on the issue but decided to speak up as the situation went out of control. He also said that there are many instances where his work was hampered and many of his decisions were violated.
