Chandigarh, June 23 -- The Punjab government is likely to appoint the director of medical education and research (DRME) as the officiating vice chancellor of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS), Faridkot, amid a vigilance bureau (VB) probe into alleged corruption and irregularities at the university, officials familiar with the matter said. Top functionaries of the BFUHS have come under the VB scanner following a series of complaints regarding financial and administrative misconduct. Acting on these complaints, the VB has launched an investigation and summoned records related to purchases and functioning of the university. A key development in the probe occurred during a recent meeting between VB officials and the university's board of management (BoM) in Mohali. The meeting was attended by BoM chairperson Dr Gurpreet Singh Wander. VB officials briefed the board about the irregularities flagged during the initial inquiry and sought full cooperation from the university administration, said officials privy to the matter. Following the meeting, BoM members escalated the matter to the government, which is now considering administrative changes to ensure a free and fair investigation. A senior government official, requesting anonymity, confirmed that DRME Dr Avneesh Kumar is being considered for the role of officiating VC. "We are contemplating appointing the DRME as officiating VC for the smooth functioning of the university and to facilitate an impartial probe. Dr Avneesh has extensive experience in medical education and had earlier served as officiating VC of the BFUHS," the official said. The move is also seen as part of the government's plan to find a suitable role for Dr Avneesh, whose tenure as the DRME is ending. While the Punjab government recently increased the retirement age for medical faculty from 62 to 65 years, this extension does not apply to administrative positions. Both the chief minister and the chief secretary have reportedly turned down a proposal to extend his tenure as the DRME. Despite repeated attempts, Dr Gurpreet Singh Wander could not be reached for comment. However, a BoM member confirmed that the VB is examining the role of the current VC. Chief director of the VB, Parveen Sinha, confirmed that an investigation is underway. "It's too early to comment before the conclusion of the investigation, but we are examining several complaints and have met the university's board of management," he said. VB officials dealing with the case said preliminary findings suggest large-scale corruption and procedural irregularities, and that replies have been sought from university authorities....