Varsity slams Bank of Maharashtra for poor service

The meeting witnessed a stormy debate as the members criticised the way in which students are made to suffer by the bank staff during the admission season. Senate member Vijaya Dahiphale,who raised the issue,said,“During admission season,a queue as long as 3 km is a common feature as the bank has inadequate staff strength. Many students stand in the queue to deposit their fees for over three hours and as the bank staff unceremoniously closes the window at 3 pm,they are made to come the next day.”

“The students face the same problem while depositing examination fees. Moreover,students taking part in the earn-and-learn scheme have their accounts with the bank. They have to go through much administrative procedures for opening or closing the account,” said Sambhaji Pathare,another member.

Atul Bagul,another member,said the agreement between the UoP and the bank had ended long back and the varsity should rethink on extending the agreement. “Giving more than 1,200 sq ft space to the bank for a meagre Rs 15,000 per month rent does not make good business sense,” he said. Vice-Chancellor Arun Adsool assured the senate that the varsity would send a last reminder to BoM to upgrade the services,failing which it would consider alternatives.

Nandkumar Nikam,principal of an affiliated college in Shirur,raised the issue of delay in clearance of salary cheques,as the bank does not have core-banking facility available in its village branches.

In a reply to the queries by the senate members management council member S I Patil said the varsity was mulling an agreement with another bank. “The varsity had sent three letters to the senior officers of BoM complaining about the functioning. However,they didn’t reply,” he said. Patil said a private bank had shown interest to open a branch. However,as per the RBI norms the varsity could have agreement with only nationalised banks,he said.