MUMBAI, February 16: In an unprecedented move, a member of the Mumbai University Budget Committee has strongly opposed certain alleged irregularities and ``extravagances'' indulged in by the varsity, especially the purchase of an expensive car like the Opel Astra for the vice-chancellor, Dr Snehalata Deshmukh's official use. Senator Madhu Paranjape, who is one of the seven budget committee members in the varsity, recently wrote to the convenor of the committee, Dr R J Gujrathi, citing various instances where she felt that money had been wasted in the university budget for 1997-98. ``A new car (Maruti Esteem) for the VC was purchased two years back and sufficient reasons have not been cited for the need to purchase another expensive car (Opel Astra) in 1997-98,'' she stated in her letter. Though it is rare for a core member of the budget committee to voice dissent in a meeting for the finalisation of the next budget, Paranjape has said that as she has every right to democratically speak out againstirregularities. She has also refused to accept the VC's reasoning on the addition of the new car. ``The trickle-down effect about the passing on of the cars from the VC to the pro-vice-chancellor to the registrar, etc was not convincing,'' Paranjpe stated in her letter which was recently read out in a management council meeting.When contacted on Monday, Deshmukh acknowledged the letter written by Paranjape. However, the VC commented: ``It is not a note of dissent. Whenever two cars are sold and a new car is bought then the appropriate cars are given to the VC and the PVC while the rest of the vehicles are distributed in a common pool to the other university departments.''Deshmukh further added that the issue will be discussed with the convenor, Gujrathi. However, he was not available for comment. Paranjpe said today that the committee was aware that the policy of hiring cars was to be gradually phased out and hence a provision was made for the purchase of vehicles in the budget. ``However, the same wascontradicted since this involved creating more unapproved posts. Indiscriminate buying of vehicles must be discouraged,'' she said.Paranjpe has also questioned the need to provide Rs two lakh for training facilities and manpower research project in the budget proposal of 1998-99 when the provision for the same was not utilised last year. She also pointed at the installation of an airconditioner in the PVC's room in the Kalina campus, when the money was sanctioned for the upgradation of university computers.While the net deficit in the university budget for 1997-98 was 360.17 lakh, the deficit is reportedly going to be much higher for 1998-99.
