Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University Vice-Chancellor Dr Subhas Chaudhari is likely to face tough time, when enquiry into the complaint lodged by a former Senate member Adv Manmohan Bajpai begins. The enquiry has been ordered by the Higher Education Minister Chandrakant Patil.
The enquiry pertains to alleged illegal agreement with Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation Limited (MKCL) for processing of some of the results of the University. The contract with MKCL was withdrawn several years back by a former Vice-Chancellor. Adv Bajpai raised the issue during a Senate meeting, when Dr Chaudhari replied that the contract has not been withdrawn. Based on Dr Chaudhari’s reply arguments followed in the Senate and later Adv Bajpai lodged a complaint with the Governor, who is also Chancellor of the University and also the Higher Education Minister.
Patil himself convened a meeting in Nagpur on August 28 to seek information about the charges leveled against the VC. Patil directed a Secretary-level enquiry into it. Results of several examinations got delayed because of the functioning of MKCL. Several universities in Maharashtra blacklisted MKCL. But RTM Nagpur University continued with it, allegedly, illegally. Patil also ordered the removal of MKCL from the University work immediately. The work was temporarily handed over to another agency, which was engaged for processing of some other results.
The issue was expected to be discussed during another meeting of the Senate, as assured by the VC. The meeting, however, was adjourned by Dr Chaudhari, within two minutes.
DR Chaudhari also suspended Adv Bajpai from the Senate, only a few days before his term was to expire.
The University appears to be engaged in political games, instead of concentrating on the issues of the students.