The central government has raised objections over the variable pay given to IIM Rohtak director Dheeraj Sharma. The Ministry of Education had appointed the Internal Audit Wing (IAW) to investigate this payment, which found that Sharma was given variable pay of Rs 3.2 crore for 2018-19, 2019-20, and 2020-21, which is more than 200% of his fixed salary.
IAW said in the report that the way the institute has given the variable pay is wrong and the amount given is much more than Sharma’s main salary, which is not financially wise. The ministry has sought information from IIM Rohtak on the process of accounting for this payment. Along with this, instructions have been given to take appropriate action against the people responsible in this matter and make a plan to recover the excess payment.
At the same time, according to the report of Indian Express, the government had sent a letter to IIM Rohtak in April in which objection was raised regarding the variable pay of the director. IIM Rohtak has said in its reply to the ministry that this payment was approved by the board. However, IAW also told that this payment was made when the rules of the institute were not implemented under the IIM Act and rules. The ministry has again sent a letter to IIM Rohtak last month and has sought answers to many questions on the report of IAW.
No violation occurred
The board of IIM Rohtak had approved the director’s variable pay for 2018-19, 2019-20, and 2020-21 with the full consent of all board members. The institute told The Indian Express that information about this payment had been sent to the ministry through email about one and a half years ago. According to them, there has been no violation.
Why is the investigation being conducted?
Let us tell you that this investigation is being conducted by the President Draupadi Murmu is based on the complaints sent to the government on 6 October 2023. These complaints allege variable pay of the director of IIM Rohtak, irregularities in providing mobile phones to the faculty and financial irregularities. According to reports, Dheeraj Sharma is already under the government’s radar regarding his educational qualifications. According to the report, he misrepresented his educational qualifications to get the post of director in the year 2017.
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