Author : Aashiya Jain | EQmint | Political News

 

 

In 2011, an ambitious scientific experiment began at Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. Funded by the state government, the project aimed to explore whether Panchagavya a traditional concoction made from cow dung, cow urine and dairy products could hold the key to treating serious diseases like cancer. It was a blend of ancient beliefs and modern research, funded with the hope of unearthing unconventional therapies rooted in age-old cultural practices.

 

But more than a decade later, this project which received Rs 3.5 crore from the state has landed in the spotlight not for breakthroughs, but for questions about its financial management and scientific utility. A government-ordered probe has raised serious concerns about where the money went and whether it delivered on its stated goal of finding a cure for cancer.

 

A Project With High Expectations

When the proposal first came before officials, the university had requested around Rs 8 crore to support the research. The Madhya Pradesh government ultimately sanctioned Rs 3.5 crore for the work, hoping it might yield insights into treating diseases that have long challenged modern medicine. The research dug into Panchagavya, a preparation often venerated in traditional Indian practices and folk medicine.

 

 But much of the scientific community has remained sceptical about its therapeutic claims.

The promise was clear: explore, experiment and perhaps bridge the gap between tradition and evidence backed medical science. But as the years went by, the focus shifted from outcomes to expenditure patterns, and the narrative took an unexpected turn.

 

Probe Flags Financial Irregularities

The Turning Point came when a formal complaint reached district authorities, prompting a deeper look at the project’s financial records. The Divisional Commissioner directed an investigation, and a team led by an Additional Collector examined the files covering spending from 2011 to 2018. What they found raised eyebrows.

 

According to the investigation report, nearly Rs 1.92 crore out of the total Rs 3.5 crore was spent on basic materials such as cow dung, cow urine, raw materials, storage vessels, and machinery items that, investigators say, likely cost just Rs 15–20 lakh at prevailing market rates.

 

That stark discrepancy crores being spent on materials that perhaps should have cost a fraction of that sparked fresh questions about financial prudence. But that was only part of the picture.

 

Unusual Expenses and Questionable Travel

The investigation also noted a string of expenditures that seemed unrelated to the core goal:

 

• • 23–24 air trips were recorded to various cities, including places like Goa and Bengaluru, in the name of research trips that the probe flagged as potentially unnecessary.

• • A vehicle worth around Rs 7.5 lakh was purchased using project funds, despite no such expense being part of the original sanctioned plan.

• • More than Rs 7.5 lakh was spent on fuel and vehicle maintenance.

• • Close to Rs 3.5 lakh was paid as labour charges.

• • Nearly Rs 15 lakh went on furniture and electronic items again, spending investigators branded as “non-essential” for the stated research objectives.

Taken together, these items paint a picture that has been characterised by authorities as misaligned with what was originally proposed.

 

No Cure Yet, But Big Bills

Perhaps most strikingly, despite years of work and what amounts to a significant budget for a university project, no concrete scientific results especially in terms of cancer treatment have emerged publicly. Nothing from the project has been recognised as a medically validated cure or treatment, leaving many to wonder whether the money spent justified the claims or the intent.

 

In fact, reports indicate that the project’s income generation was minimal, with a total income of merely Rs 23,715, raising questions about both the scientific output and administrative oversight.

 

University Responds: ‘No Scam, Just Transparency’

University officials, however, firmly reject any suggestion of wrongdoing. According to NDTV’s report on the matter, Registrar Dr. S. S. Tomar defended the institution’s conduct, saying that every purchase was carried out through open tenders under established government procedures. Audits, he said, were conducted and all documentation was provided to the investigation team.

 

“We followed government rules. There has been no scam,” Dr. Tomar told reporters, emphasising that the project is ongoing and continues to provide training to farmers and youth one of its other stated objectives.

 

What Comes Next?

The investigation team has submitted its report to the Jabalpur Collector, who will now forward it to the Divisional Commissioner. Authorities will review the findings and decide what further action might be necessary whether it involves administrative steps, tighter accountability measures, or even further probes.

 

For many observers, this case is a reminder of the challenges inherent in balancing traditional beliefs with scientific rigour, especially when public funds are at stake. If research is to win public trust, clarity in spending and transparent, evidence based outcomes matter just as much as good intentions

 

In the end, the story of this Panchagavya research project is about more than just cow dung and urine it’s about how public money is managed, how science and culture intersect, and how accountability plays a central role in public research.

 

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Resource Link : IndiaExpress