KATHMANDU: The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has begun investigation into the affiliation process which the Purvanchal University (PU) followed while granting the same to various 26 colleges. Acting upon complaints that the PU failed to adhere to due procedures while granting the affiliation to the colleges, the CIAA also sought details of the affiliation procedure from the PU. The constitutional anti-graft body said that the PU even failed to meet basic criteria during the process. “Now the PU should provide the details to us if there is no misappropriation of authority while granting affiliation to colleges,” Lalit Bahadur Limbu, Acting Chief Commissioner, CIAA, told The Himalayan Times today. The CIAA has also alleged that the PU promoted a number of staff and gave permanent status to many other temporary staff and teachers violating norms to appoint employees through open competition. According to the CIAA, a PU assembly held on May 14 had approved the promotion and appointment of the staff in permanent posts without following due processes. An automatic promotion has been awarded to temporary and contract-based staff and teachers; one step promotion has been granted to the permanent teachers and staff who served for five years while those who served 10 years are given two-step automatic promotion, the CIAA officials claimed, revealing the irregularities rife at the PU. The corruption watchdog also gave a seven-day deadline to furnish details regarding both the controversial issues: promotion and affiliation. The CIAA told the PU authorities to prove whether they enjoyed such rights to appoint any employee in such a manner. The CIAA also initiated an investigation on why the university has not been shifted yet to its own building at Gothgaon of Morang district, even after a year of completion of the construction. Last year, the CIAA had directed the PU to shift its office building following the construction of the same. The CIAA also said that as Vice Chancellor, Pro Dr Ramavatar Yadav, and Registrar Raj Kumar Thakur misused their authority, they have to furnish explanation within seven days as per Section 11(1) of the CIAA Act, 2001. “If the PU officials fail to furnish satisfactory clarification, then there is no other option than to initiate legal action,” said Limbu.