JABALPUR: What was projected as a state-funded research initiative to combat cancer using cow dung, cow urine and milk instead snowballed into an alleged financial scandal at Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University.Following complaints of misuse of research funds, Jabalpur Collector Raghvendra Singh ordered a probe and constituted a 2-member committee led by Additional Collector RS Marawi. “During preliminary scrutiny of documents, it was found that the research money was spent on purposes not related to the project,” Marawi told TOI. He said around Rs 3 lakh was spent on air travel, though there was no evidence of research-related tours. “A car was purchased from the research head and nearly Rs 15 lakh was spent on vehicle repairs, petrol and diesel,” he said. The Panchgavya scheme was launched in 2011 after the state govt sanctioned Rs 3.5 crore for research on treating serious diseases like cancer using gobar, gaumutra and milk. However, the probe found little to show by way of research output.Marawi further told TOI that close to Rs 1.75 crore was spent on raw material and machines, which were procured at rates many times higher than prevailing market prices.

“About Rs 15 lakh was spent on furniture and electronic items, and nearly Rs 5 lakh was paid under other heads, all from the research fund,” he said, adding that the inquiry report was submitted to the Collector and further action will be decided at the administrative level.University Vice-Chancellor Mandeep Sharma said the research programme ended in 2018, claiming that technical and financial records were approved at the time. “We are gathering details of the project and will officially share information with the media after reviewing the records,” he told TOI . A project meant to give scientific backing to traditional knowledge, instead, has raised troubling questions over accountability.