PRESIDENT of the University of Guyana Students Society (UGSS), Ganesh Mahipaul, has declared his innocence of misappropriation of the organisation’s money.
But he admitted borrowing some constitutionally.

Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle by telephone yesterday, Mahipaul explained that, in December 2012, he borrowed $800,000 from the UGSS account and pointed out that it was not the first time a student had taken a loan.
He said persons have been “making a big scene out of nothing” due to the fact that, this time around, it was the President who took the loan.
Mahipaul said, on previous occasions when students have done so, the purpose for which the monies were taken had not been made public and, so, he will not disclose the use to which he put his money.
He confirmed that he has been sent on administrative leave in order to facilitate an internal audit into the UGSS finances, a move he welcomes because he is confident that he will be found innocent of the allegations made against him.
Not desirous
Mahipaul said the accusations laid against him are unfortunate, as they have taken a toll on his character, with his integrity being called into question, leaving him with no other choice than to say that he is not desirous of remaining in the position of UGSS President.
Senior Vice-President of UGSS Mahendra Doraisami and Public Relations Officer Amir Dillawar, have both resigned and Mahipaul said he will make his final decision after the internal audit has been completed.
He called on members of the public, specifically UG students, to understand that he has not misappropriated any funds, as his actions were fully constitutional.
Mahipaul said it was his intention, from the onset, to repay the money he borrowed and, in this regard, he has already made efforts to acquire the resources for doing so by May 31.
Meanwhile, in a recent interview with this newspaper, UG Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi, disclosed that the administration of the institution has decided not to release any more money to the UGSS until the latter has accounted for the sums received recently.