Bhubaneswar, July 23 (UDN): The Odisha Higher Education Department has directed Ravenshaw University to submit a long-pending compliance report on the management of government residential quarters within seven days, expressing concern over the institution’s failure to respond to an earlier directive.

In a communication addressed to the university’s Registrar, Director of Higher Education Kaliprasanna Mahapatra said the department had previously instructed the university to review the allotment and management of government quarters, identify unauthorized occupants, recover outstanding government dues, and submit a detailed compliance report.

Despite the earlier directive, the department noted that no report has been received, prompting it to issue a fresh reminder while treating the delay as a matter of serious concern.

Department Seeks Detailed Status Report

The Higher Education Department has asked the university to furnish comprehensive information covering all aspects of residential quarter management. This includes:

• Total number of government residential quarters under the university.
• Category-wise details of current occupants.
• Status of electricity meter installations in residential units.
• Collection of licence fees and utility charges.
• Recovery of outstanding electricity, water and other government dues.
• Details of pending arrears and action taken for their recovery.
• Information on quarters occupied by daily wage, contractual and outsourced employees.

The department has also sought updates on measures taken to prevent unauthorized occupation of government quarters and the steps initiated to introduce a transparent mechanism for billing and collecting utility charges, including the installation of separate electricity meters wherever necessary.

Seven-Day Deadline

The university has been instructed to submit the compliance report within seven days. In case the report had already been forwarded earlier, the department has asked the institution to resend a copy for official records.

Copies of the communication have also been marked to the Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Higher Education Department and the Vice-Chancellor of Ravenshaw University for necessary action and monitoring.

The latest directive underscores the state’s focus on strengthening accountability in the management of government assets and ensuring transparency in the administration of residential facilities at higher educational institutions.