VC spits fire at MMC

MUMBAI, MARCH 16: After weeks of simmering resentment, vice-chancellor of the University of Mumbai, Dr Snehalata Deshmukh, launched her f...

MUMBAI, MARCH 16: After weeks of simmering resentment, vice-chancellor of the University of Mumbai, Dr Snehalata Deshmukh, launched her first public defence in the MBBS marks scandal today, accusing the three members of the Maharashtra Medical Council MMC who are investigating the case of being unfit to conduct an inquiry.Dr Deshmukh, at the vortex of the scandal, stands accused of granting eight grace marks in the Preventive and Social Medicine PSM paper to all final year MBBS students in January this year. The state government had subsequently directed the MMC, the state unit of the Medical Council of India, to investigate the case, which has had the university and the MMC locked in battle over the legality of the inquiry ever since.At the university8217;s Budget meeting of the Senate today, Dr Deshmukh said: 8220;Dr Sudhir Dagaonkar MMC vice-president had given his opinion even before the inquiry began.

Also, an Unfair Means Committee inquiry is underway against Dr Hemant Sawant one of the three MMCpanel members. And the MMC inquiry is being conducted by three people who have never been examiners.8221;Revealing that the university8217;s legal advisors had said that the MMC was not empowered to inquire into the matter, Dr Deshmukh said: 8220;The MMC kept issuing summons, which is why we referred it to the chancellor.8221;Ducking for cover, Dr Deshmukh said the university8217;s chancellor would pronounce a final verdict in the case.

She also accused the media of spreading 8220;false propoganda8221; ever since she had taken up vice-chancellorship.Claiming that the decision to award the grace marks was taken by the paper setters and examiners of the PSM paper, which was later ratified by the Board of Examinations, Dr Deshmukh said she had supported it only after they had signed a proposal to that effect. The Board of Examinations BoE has the full authority to take any decision on examinations, she said.The marks scandal was raised by Tapati Mukhopadhyay, who moved an adjournment motion to raise the issue among others duringthe afternoon session.Also, Senate member Vinay Sahastrabuddhe wanted to know if the BoE had pondered whether a decision to grant grace marks following declaration of results could set a precedent. In reply, the university8217;s Pro Vice-Chancellor, Dr Naresh Chandra, said this was not the first time it had happened. He cited an instance in 1974, when the third year LLB results were altered after the state advocate-general8217;s opinion was sought.

However, asked again whether the university had visualised the 8220;eventuality8221; of the decision to grant grace marks, the vice-chancellor replied: 8220;There was no specific visualisation.8221;

Another Senate member, Dr Jose George, wanted to know why the university had challenged the MMC8217;s jurisdiction. Dr Deshmukh replied: 8220;The university is an autonomous institution, and anyone cannot inquire into it.8221;

Meanwhile, the vice-chancellor also denied having said she would set up a committee to inquire into allegations of misconduct against Prof C R Sadasivan, who is also aleader of the Bombay University and College Teachers8217; Union. A complaint had been submitted by the National Students8217; Union of India NSUI, which had received an anonymous letter containing the allegations.

Asked how the vice-chancellor could heed a complaint from an 8220;outside8221; body like the NSUI while denouncing the MMC8217;s inquiry into the marks scandal, Dr Deshmukh said she had never believed the complaints against Prof Sadasivan and had simply asked the pro vice-chancellor to look into the matter.

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However, Senate member Madhu Paranjpe pointed out that even the latter decision indicated that the vice-chancellor had lent credence to an anonymouscomplaint.

The House Rent Allowance erroneously claimed by the pro vice-chancellor and the provision of an official car to Dr M N Welling, director of the Board of College and University Development, were also discussed. Dr Deshmukh justified both decisions, saying they were taken in the university8217;s best interests.

The university8217;s budget for 1999-2000,presented by Dr Welling, was passed without any amendments today with the estimates showing a net deficit of Rs 194.87 lakh. To bridge the deficit, Welling made the following suggestions: revising examination fees, canteen rents, developing consultancy and link-ups with industries, revision of hiring charges of auditoria and sports grounds, and revision of fees for diploma and certificate courses.