Colleges to defy vigilance panel

The Association of Non-Government Colleges ANGC, Mumbai, has written to the university8217;s registrar saying its will not entertain the observers, all past and present Senate members, whose brief is to detect and thwart malpractices during admissions to the Arts, Science and Commerce faculties.

The association says it will not cooperate with the two-member squads, which will visit individual colleges from tomorrow and observe the admission proceedings. The squads have been empowered to conduct surprise checks and demand information from the college authorities, among other things.

8220;The composition of the committeeof observers has left a bad taste in as much as retired principals and junior teachers, who are in no way connected with the university system or with the admission process in colleges have suddenly acquired the status of observers without any accountability,8221; the letter reads.

The head-on collision with the authorities could, however, kickstart a protracted battle with the university, whose Vice-chancellor says she will not bend under any circumstances.

Vice-Chancellor Dr Snehalata Deshmukh points out that the observers are all either past or present Senate members and their qualifications are above scrutiny. Moreover, they were appointed on the basis of a court directive last year following a case filed by the Forum for Fairness in Education.

The case, against seven colleges, relates to malpractices during admissions like violation of the quota system, bypassing merit while selecting candidates as well as financial irregularities during the academic year.

In an interim order on May 5, the BombayHigh Court had told the state government ensure transparency in the admission procedure, explains the forum8217;s President, Bhagvanji Raiyani.

The government subsequently directed the university to appoint observers to oversee admissions.

Deshmukh says the committee was thus appointed, to comply with the government8217;s directive. 8220;The observers were sent to the colleges last year as well. 8220;All this time, they never complained to me. Even the observer8217;s report does not mention any of them being ill-treated by any college authorities,8221; she said.This year as well, the university dispatched a circular dated May 28 to individual colleges, asking them to follow the same procedure as last year, reminding them of the observer squads.

8220;They the ANGC only reacted at its mention in The Indian Express!8221; says a livid Deshmukh. However, ANGC President Principal M G Shirahatti said the panel8217;s appointment last year took the colleges by completely surprise. 8220;We did not know about it beforehand. Later, we didmention it once. Last year we were preoccupied with the centralisation imbroglio,8221; he says.

But the university is steadfast in its resolve to keep a hawkeye on admissions this year too. 8220;To give merit its due, we have made arrangements for the observers till the court gives its final verdict on the centralisation issue.,8221; Deshmukh retorts. To wait for individual complaints wastes precious time and gives students a raw deal. 8220;Irrespective of the ANGC8217;s non-cooperation, the university will insist on observers making the rounds,8221; she says.