MS University issues notice to V K Shrivastava to vacate V-C bungalow

Mahavir Singh Raj, a representative of the students, said, “We had given an ultimatum two days ago saying that the government property must be vacated, but it has not been done today… We have collected Re 1 each from students of all faculties to hand it over to Shrivastava to help him leave Vadodara and return to Gandhinagar. We cannot understand who is supporting him because he has been illegally living at the government property for over a month now. The government must step in as this is tainting the image of the university.”

In the notice served by the university on Thursday, Shrivastava was asked to “vacate the bungalow at the earliest” citing the decision of the Board of Management (BoM), which had met on February 1, and turned down Shrivastava’s request seeking three months’ extension to vacate it. Shrivastava had sought an extension on the ground that his son was enrolled in a city-based school and appearing for his exams in March, an official said.

University officials said that this is the first instance when a V-C has been served a notice to vacate the official residence.

MSU Officer on Special Duty for Public Relations, Professor Hitesh Raviya, said “The written notice has been issued in accordance with the original decision of the BoM, chaired by Honourable Chancellor Rajmata Shubhanginiraje Gaekwad, wherein it was resolved to grant an extension until February 15. This decision was duly communicated to Prof. Srivastava through an official letter. However, an additional notice was issued yesterday (Wednesday), as the final deadline for vacating the premises was February 15. This is a routine process and aligns with the standard protocol followed by the university in cases where faculty members are required to vacate residential quarters upon resignation or retirement.”

Thursday’s notice served by MSU upon Shrivastava is the second since his resignation on January 7.

An official of the MSU, seeking anonymity, said, “This is a unique case as there has never been such a case where a V-C has not vacated the bungalow in time… In case of teachers and professors who overstay in the official quarters at the end of the one-month period after retirement or resignation, they must pay the university a rent equivalent to the market price for the quarters. Recently, a teaching staff, who resigned, had overstayed in the quarter for two months and was made to pay Rs 15,000 a month, as per market price. However, in the case of the V-C’s bungalow, it has never happened that a rent has been fixed…”

The official added that although the MSU management can decide to withdraw the services of security guards, cooks and cleaners employed at the V-C bungalow, no decision has been taken.

Another professor at MSU said, “The MSU is well within its rights to demand a rent from Shrivastava. As per the rules, extended stay of one month following the resignation can be granted at no extra charge but thereafter, as per the rules, the university has to charge rent as per market rate. Now, who will determine the value of the V-C’s official bungalow along with its services?”

Even as student unions have threatened a stir if Shrivastava is not made to vacate the residence by Saturday, the MSU notice has urged Shrivastava to “give back the possession at the earliest”. A senior member of the university management said no decision has been taken to levy rent on Shrivastava as the in-charge V-C Dhanesh Patel is “seeking the opinion of higher authorities”.

Meanwhile, officials said that Shrivastava is also yet to “exit” at least eight official Whatsapp groups of various departments of MSU that are used for official communication.