Links with University, Social Welfare Department need further investigation
Maharashtra Social Welfare Commissioner Om Prakash Bakoria has withdrawn recognition of Kamptee Social Work College, Kamptee, with immediate effect. The orders were issued on July 27. The recognition has been withdrawn following the detection of large-scale mismanagement, including the appointment of four Assistant Professors and a Librarian and getting approval from RTM Nagpur University in contravention of the rules. The college was being conducted by Lord Buddha Sariputra Dnyan Prasarak Sanstha, registered at Brahmapuri in Chandrapur district. Retired Registrar of RTM Nagpur University Puranchandra Meshram was the president of the education society that started the college.
Large-scale wrongful affairs were pointed out by the members of the governing body of the society, which had removed Meshram with an absolute majority of nine against one vote. Even after the managing committee had informed the University about changes in the managing committee and requested to stop the recruitment, Meshram appears to have manipulated their approvals. The members of the Selection Committee and their relations with Meshram are also under scanner.
Bakoria, in his 11-page order, has referred to correspondence by Secretary Santosh Ramteke. Puranchandra Meshram was removed as President of the Society through a resolution passed on 15/5/2019. Ratna Khobragade was nominated as officiating president. Ramteke had informed the university and the Charity Commissioner about the internal dispute with a request not to undertake any procedure related to the society till the election of the new executive committee.
The Social Work College had received NOC for the recruitment of staff on 02/07/1918, and the responsibility and rights of the recruitment were vested in the executive body. The appointments were finalized without taking the executive body into confidence, allegedly by Meshram. The executive committee cancelled all the appointments on 06/11/2018. It was also informed that correspondence in the name of officiating principal Prof Ramesh Sonkunwar and Puranchandra Meshram should be stopped. A public notice in connection with the allegedly illegal appointments was also issued on 29/11/2018. Letters to the Social Welfare Department and RTM Nagpur University were also sent.
On request from the University’s Pro-VC, a copy of the resolution on the removal of Meshra from the society was submitted. On 09/01/2019, Meshram was removed as President of the Society by a majority of nine against one vote. The University was requested to cancel the recruitment and issue a fresh notification for it.
Meshram, who was then the Registrar of the University, however, managed to approve the appointments, which was a shock to the society’s executive committee. The then Pro-VC has specifically pointed out that the approval is being granted ‘as told by the VC’. Dr. S. P. Kane was the Vice-Chancellor during this period.
Disturbed by these developments, the Executive Committee approached higher officials of the Social Welfare Department and also moved the court.
Ramteke followed the case meticulously with the Social Welfare Department and also the court. The notification by Bakoria is a relief to him and other executive members of the society. The issue does not end here. Its links with the University and officials of the Social Welfare Department also need scrutiny. The links between the members of the Selection Committee, those selected for appointment, and authorities in the University and Social Welfare Department need to be investigated.