CAG seeks explanation from NAAC over irregularities in awarding grades

New Delhi: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) recently found irregularities in the inspections carried out by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) which resulted in awarding inaccurate grades to several higher education institutions and has sought an explanation from the Council in this regard.

According to the notice sent by CAG to NAAC, there were discrepancies in the reports prepared by the expert panels which visited the educational institutions and the final scores awarded. The CAG has also listed several instances of mismatch between the reports and marks given to institutions.

Instances of mismatch

For instance, the expert panel which visited an institution at Bellampalli in Telangana had mentioned in its report that waste was burnt on the premises, causing air pollution. However, this institution received full marks for waste management.

On the other hand, the expert panel’s report praised a college in Mumbai for becoming a plastic-free campus. However, this college was awarded a mere one mark for waste management!

Yet another college where the expert panel had found that no academic timetable was prepared or implemented received full marks in this category.

NAAC’s response; Chairman quits

Meanwhile, NAAC authorities have released a media statement claiming that accreditation procedures were transparent as well as proper.

Incidentally, Bhushan Patwardhan, who was the Chairman of NAAC, had recently alleged that malpractices were involved in awarding high NAAC grades. Patwardhan’s statement created a furore and he resigned from the post on March 5.