Figurehead status doesn8217;t befit registrar8217;

MUMBAI, AUG 9: Four years before the end of his tenure, University of Mumbai Registrar Dr P V Pradhan has decided to call it quits. The r...

MUMBAI, AUG 9: Four years before the end of his tenure, University of Mumbai Registrar Dr P V Pradhan has decided to call it quits. The reason: he finds teaching 8220;more satisfying8221; than working within a 8220;rigid8221; university system.

Dr Pradhan, who will be returning as a reader to his college Ramniranjan Jhunjhunwala College, Ghatkopar after August 20, stresses that he can make a greater contribution by teaching and through research. But, isn8217;t there greater scope for contribution8217; as the registrar? Apparently not!

8220;The university system is too large,8221; Dr Pradhan says, adding that under the new act Maharashtra Universities Act, 1994, division of responsibilities is such that the registrar has no direct charge over any matter. However, he is held accountable for even those things he doesn8217;t know about.

8220;For instance, finance matters are controlled by the finance and accounts officer, who reports to the vice-chancellor. Examinations are looked after by the controller of examinations, who reportsto the pro vice-chancellor,8221; Dr Pradhan says. The registrar is not even a member of policy-making bodies like the Board of Examinations or the Finance and Accounts Committee, he adds.

But, at the end of the day, he has to sign documents regarding deals, contracts, tenders, and affidavits, Dr Pradhan says. 8220;The registrar has to sign without knowing the documents are about. This is not right,8221; he feels, adding that it is a lacuna in the act.

The decentralisation worked out by the act 8220;is a good thing8221;, Dr Pradhan says, but feels that the people immediately in charge should be made responsible; for instance, the funds from the University Grants Commission come in the name of registrar. 8220;Once the funds come, the finance and accounts department takes over. The registrar does not know what happens in between,8221; Dr Pradhan says. This, he adds, renders the registrar8217;s post 8220;vulnerable8221;. But he stresses that there has been no 8220;controversy8221; proving his fears true. 8220;Why should I wait for something tohappen?8221; he asks.

Also, the 140 year old set up of the university administration, is rigid. For instance, papers take a long time to process travelling up from the junior level till the top official, and back again in the bureaucratic line. 8220;It is a waste of time, and this channel should have been broken, someone at a lower level should be made accountable,8221; Dr Pradhan says. But, that could change could not be created because there is 8220;internal resistance8217;. There are also restrictions placed on the registrar by rules, he adds. However, Dr Pradhan says that he has had no problems with senior official.

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In the current system, he thus finds teaching more attractive. 8220;I chose to take a one-year lien, instead of the usual two-year one, only so that I could decide whether I fit into the system or not,8221; Dr Pradhan says.

Obviously, his decision to quit shows that he doesn8217;t.