Son of ex-VC Kalmegh still occupying varsity’s residential quarter

Son of ex-VC Kalmegh still occupying varsity’s residential quarter

Dadasaheb Kalmegh retired in 1992, died in 197, but his son yet to vacate bungalow, now varsity is engaged in protracted legal battle

Over Rs 16 lakh dues are pending with Kalmegh
 In 12 cases regarding property disputes, evidence from university side is recorded
 University is repeatedly sending information to collector office

By Vikas Vaidya

The dues of over Rs 16 lakh are yet to be recovered from the descendants of late Dadasaheb Kalmegh, as they did not vacate the quarter allotted by Nagpur University to their father, nor have they paid the house rent as per rules. Some stalwarts in university circles are raising question as to why the authorities delayed filing of case against Kalmegh who has occupied the official residence since last 20 years, apparently without any official allotment ? Though matter is now before civil court, the university circles are astonished about lax approach in getting back its property and stark contrast in other cases where university took quick action.
The quarter which has a built up area of 121.7 sq.mt and plot area of 1716 sq mt was allotted to late W M alias Dadasaheb Kalmegh on May 24, 1984 as he was Reader in Laxminarayan Institute of Technology (LIT). It was a residential quarter. The quarter was allotted to him on the condition that he would continue to stay there till his retirement and vacate the same within 30 days of retirement. In case during his working period means before retirement, if he builds a house then he could shift there within 30 days. Kalmegh retired on November 30, 1992 and he should have vacated the quarter by December 31, 1992. Apparently, he did not do the same. University sent him first notice on June 10, 1993. Then Registrar sent second notice on June 21, 1993. Then the reminder-letters were sent to him on November 5, 1993, March 23, 1994 and May 10, 1994. To these letters Kalmegh replied on November 8, 1994 that he was building the house which would be constructed in one year. He agreed to pay the house rent as per rules. If a government employee does not vacate the official residence then government charges the commercial rent. But, the rule was not applied to late Kalmegh as a matter of courtesy since he was former Vice-Chancellor of Nagpur University. Even the rent demanded by university was never paid by Kalmegh family.
Unfortunately after the sad demise of Dadasaheb Kalmegh on July 29, 1997, the descendants continued to occupy the quarter. Finally on November 1, 2002, university sent first legal notice to Kalmegh’s descendants to vacate and pay the dues, damages amounting to Rs 7,12,032 till the date of filing the petition on November 1, 2002. After that, university decided to impose fine of Rs 250 per day till quarter is vacated and now that amount has rose to over Rs 9 lakh.
Sharad Kalmegh, son of late Dadasaheb Kalmegh, called The Hitavada and said that he did not want to make any comment as the matter is sub-judice. But he claimed that university has still not formulated the amount of rent charged during Dadasaheb’s occupancy. However, he did not offer any justification for occupying the quarter for last 15 years, after demise of his father.
Members of various bodies of university angrily reacted that how can descendants of a retired VC stay in the official residence for so long without paying a single penny? Why the issue is being prolonged and so much fuss is made about rent when it is crystal clear that Kalmegh’s should have vacated the quarter long ago.
The details of persons occupying university property without authorisation was obtained under RTI by a vigilant citizen Anil Wadpalliwar. In addition to Kalmegh, 28 more persons are in possession of university’s property and civil suits are on-some pending since 1993.
University’s legal advisor Adv Dr  Bhanudas Kulkarni said, “Apart from Kalmegh case, in 12 other cases involving property disputes of university, the evidences from university side is over. The evidence of defendants is yet to be submitted. Within three to four months, the process will be completed. We are trying our level best to complete the process as early as possible.”



We will fulfill wishes of our donors: VC

We will honour wishes of all great persons who donated their property to RTMNU for the welfare of University and its students, said Dr Vilas Sapkal, Vice-Chancellor. He shared the planning of properties which are lying unutilised and efforts to protect it from further encroachment.
Dr Sapkal further said, “We have planned department of Sericulture on two acre land situated in front of Academic Staff College which is also university’s land. Through High Court’s intervention, we got back our 44.5 acre land near campus where we have built a huge wall to resist further encroachment. We will be setting up Administrative building, student access office on that land and now we have come up with two-three new departments, which will be shifted to this places.
We are planning to give Korke bungalow on rent to some bank or office. In her will Dr Kamlabai Korke has wished that the bungalow should be given on rent and from that revenue, financial aid or scholarship be provided to needy students. For this, we have constituted the committee and we are working on that,” Dr Sapkal stated.