Kathmandu, July: Tribhuvan University professors who misused study leave by either not returning or failing to complete their studies have started repaying the money. The university had given a 35-day deadline on July 13 to repay the amount with 10 percent interest. Since then, five individuals have returned the funds, and over 60 have reached out to settle their dues.
According to the university’s administrative department, more than Rs 167 million has been recovered from just five professors. Associate Professors Mitramani Subedi returned Rs 4.3 million, Hima Kumari Raut Rs 4.4 million, Rina Shrestha Rs 975,000, Pushparaj Acharya Rs 3.6 million, and Gyan Prasad Gautam Rs 3.3 million. Most of them had not returned after going abroad on leave, while Rina Shrestha had returned but did not serve the full term.
As per TU regulations, faculty can take up to five years of study leave. Those who take more than three years must serve the university for at least five years after returning. Those on a three-year leave must serve for three years. If they fail to return, they are required to repay the full salary and allowances they received during the leave, with 10 percent interest, as agreed in advance.
Earlier, it was reported that many such professors continue to live abroad, mainly in the US, Australia, Canada, and parts of Europe, without fulfilling their obligations. Though faculty sign agreements to repay the university if they fail to return or complete their studies, most violate the terms. These agreements are signed in front of three witnesses, with the provision that the amount can be recovered from personal property if not paid.
While the rules allow for dismissal of staff absent for 90 consecutive days without notice, TU had taken no action until media reports exposed the matter. A probe committee led by Associate Professor Dr. Jiwan Kafle found that 398 professors had misused study leave. This included both those who never returned and those who did not complete their studies.
In response, the university has begun collecting dues. Registrar Kedar Prasad Rijal said many faculty members are now coming forward to pay back what they owe. The university has also made it clear that resignations will not be accepted until dues are cleared, which includes interest.
The university estimates that it needs to recover over Rs 2 billion from 398 individuals. A help desk is being set up to facilitate the repayment process. The collected amount will go to the university’s retirement fund, as outlined in the budget for fiscal year 2082/83. The same fund has been identified as a source of internal revenue.
The help desk will be led by the same committee coordinator Dr. Kafle, who investigated the misuse cases. Those still abroad will be allowed to repay remotely. If no repayment is made within a year, TU plans to escalate the matter, including contacting employers abroad and publicly naming the defaulters.
Registrar Rijal said this step not only discourages abuse of the leave system but also helps prevent brain drain
The investigation found the most cases in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (114), followed by the Institute of Science and Technology (106), and the Institute of Engineering (99). Other faculties included the Institute of Forestry (28), Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (13), Institute of Medicine (9), Faculty of Education (9), Faculty of Management (19), and Faculty of Law (1).
Of the 398 total, 191 professors had not returned and 207 failed to complete their studies.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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