Amid high drama & protests, Mumbai University’s Senate passes Rs 968.17-cr budget

Ahead of the budget presentation, members of Yuva Sena (UBT) and BUCTU opposed it alleging MU had violated procedure by not presenting the budget at the Management Council (MC) meeting held on March 12 before presenting it in the Senate. Varsity authorities, however, countered it stating that it was not only presented but also discussed in the MC meeting.

Sheetal Devrukhkar-Sheth from Yuva Sena (UBT), who raised point of order ahead of the budget presentation, said, “Considering that passing of budget was not part of the MC meeting agenda, it was not discussed there and thus should not have been presented at the Senate meeting.”

This led to a sit-in protest inside the well by members of Yuva Sena (UBT) and BUCTU. The meeting was then adjourned for 15 minutes after lunch but disruption by the protesters continued till the end of the meeting.

Countering the allegations of protesters, Pro Vice Chancellor Dr Ajay Bhamare addressed the House and said, “Minutes of previous MC meeting were mentioned on agenda for discussion and it included budget.” Various other MC members present at the Senate meeting supported the administration and budget presentation began amid chaos as the protesters continued sloganeering.

Dr Vijay Pawar, president of Maharashtra Union of Secular Teachers, who is an elected Senate member from teachers’ constituency, said, “Various MC members supported the administration. We did not want to stall the meeting, which is our platform to raise issues, on the basis of allegations by two-three members.”

The Senate then began budget presentation as per the demand by majority of members and it was passed within minutes. The budget includes allocation for various existing schemes and development plans such as construction of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Research Centre, phase II of international students hostel, centre for marine studies in Vengurla and schemes such as research grants for teachers, on-campus employment for students and financial assistance for deserving students among others.

At a glance

Rs 968.17 crore total budget

Rs 147.63 crore deficit

Key allocations

Rs 75 crore academic and governance excellence

Rs 135 crore development projects

Rs 10 crore academic excellence

Rs 15 crore research & innovation

Rs 5 crore student support & welfare

Rs 5 crore alumni & industry connect

Rs 5 crore internationalisation & global citizenship

Rs 35 crore governance, inclusivity & sustainability