Royal edict rattle varsity

Vide a letter dated April 23, the Directorate of Archeology and Museum, Government of Maharashtra, has directed the university to hand over the palace to the Ratnagiri Archeology Department.

According to Mantralaya sources, the Government of Maharashtra has forged a pact with the Myanmar government regarding the Thiba Palace, where the king of Myanmar was imprisoned during the British regime. However, in 1997, the then chief minister Manohar Joshi had permitted the university to use the palace for two years as the sub-centre, which was earlierhoused in two rooms in a local college.

In the meantime, the Myanmar government wrote to the External Affairs Ministry in 1998, requesting that they be allowed to maintain the palace in memory of their king. 8220;Accordingly, the Centre wrote to the state government,8221; the sources reveal. The request has to be considered due to the strategic importance of Myanmar in defence-related matters, sources add.

However, not surprisingly, the university has made no alternative arrangements for the sub-centre, which was set up especially to cater to students in the Konkan region.

The sub-centre offers three courses: a Post-Graduate Diploma in Food Processing and Preservation; a PG Diploma in Environmental Pollution Analysis and Control and a Post HSC Diploma in Computer Application Technology. It also coordinates examination work in the region. At present, 30-odd students have signed up for each course at the centre, which is headed by an assistant director and manned by nine other staff members.

Even though theuniversity was aware of the approaching two-year deadline, it claims the government8217;s letter has come as a 8220;surprise8217;. In fact, it has already spent about Rs 10 lakh on the palace repairs, provoking protests. Says Senate member Amarjit Manhas, 8220;Knowing fully well that the palace had to be given up, the university should not have spent so much money.8221;

University Registrar Dr P V Pradhan however told Express Newsline, 8220;The palace was in a bad shape, so it needed repairs.8221; He says the university received a government grant of Rs 15 lakh in two instalments. About five months ago, it received a grant of Rs 25 lakh, which has been utilised partially. The university has also spent on equipment including furniture and computers for the sub-centre. 8220;Shifting it all is going to be a difficult process,8221; he says.

In March 1998, a committee was set up to request the government to let the palace remain with the university. Strangely enough, its first meeting was held only in November 1998, and the secondone in February 1999. Following that, the committee decided to meet then chief minister Manohar Joshi. However, before the matter could be resolved, Joshi resigned.

University officials however deny they failed to pursue the matter properly. Says Pro Vice-Chancellor Dr Naresh Chandra, 8220;For the last two years, we have been writing to the government to let us retain the place.8221; Also, both the registrar and pro vice-chancellor say that they are hopeful of an extension. Committee member D B Kadam, principal of Bhavan8217;s College, adds that the government should consider the case favourably for the students8217; sake.

The university has also requested the government to give it a 2.5-acre plot adjacent to the palace, where a building could be constructed, says the registrar. Till then, the sub-centre should be allowed to function at the palace, he says.

However, the state government has flatly refused. Cultural Affairs Minister Pramod Navalkar, who is handling the matter, told Express Newsline: 8220;Theuniversity has written to me, but it cannot be done.8221;