Former Education Minister and Congress MLA Pargat Singh on Friday alleged scams worth nearly Rs 500 crore at Baba Farid University of Medical Sciences, Faridkot.At a press conference in Jalandhar, Pargat Singh claimed irregularities in multiple areas, including machinery purchases, construction works, recruitment and the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor. He said that after he raised the issue in the Assembly, notices have been issued to more than 200 people at the university.He alleged that Dr Rajiv Sood, appointed during the Aam Aadmi Party’s tenure, awarded contracts worth over Rs 100 crore to a private company without inviting tenders. According to him, only 25-30 per cent of the work was completed, yet the company received full payment.Pargat further alleged that a scanning machine was purchased for Rs 55 crore, though its market price was about Rs 35 crore, and that it remained unused even a year after payment. He said the PGI, Chandigarh, bought an MRI machine for Rs 19 crore, while Baba Farid University paid Rs 29 crore for the same model. He also claimed ICU beds priced at Rs 1.80 lakh each were purchased for Rs 4.75 lakh per bed, and many remain unused.The Congress legislator accused AAP ministers and leaders of securing jobs at the university for relatives. He demanded that the investigation report be tabled in the Assembly.Dr Sood rejected the allegations, calling them baseless. “The university budget was Rs 190 crore, so there cannot be a Rs 500 crore scam. People know my work as I have served there for three years. Those levelling allegations can go to the university and explore things to their satisfaction. My tenure got over a month back and hence I do not want to comment further,” he said.