The issue of granting approval to the selection of former Sant Gadgebaba Amravati University (SGAU) Dean, Dr Santosh Thakre, as Principal in Professor’s grade, which was mired in controversy, has once again landed the SGAU Vice-Chancellor, Dr Kamal Singh, in trouble as the University Grants Commission (UGC) has categorically clarified that no approval to the post of Principal either in Professor’s grade or Reader’s grade could be granted if the period spent on PhD research had been considered or counted towards the total experience of 15 years of teaching/research in universities/colleges and other institutions of higher education.
This UGC clarification, in response to the SGAU’s letter dated August 22, 2008, was issued on October 31, 2008 but the V-C allegedly suppressed it for nearly five months to avoid embarrassment to her as she had acted illegally in the matter and that too knowingly. The SGAU Management Council’s stand on this alleged wrong-doing of the Vice Chancellor has stood vindicated by this UGC communication. The issue is certain to stir up a storm at the March 21 Senate meeting. The issue was referred to the UGC by the SGAU after the Management Council and the Senate had taken strong exception to the manner in which the V-C had granted the approval to the selection of Dr Thakre as Principal in Professor’s grade of the local Mahatma Jyotiba Fule Mahavidyalaya. Bowing to the pressure, the V-C had reverted the selection in Reader’s grade. This was challenged in the High Court by Dr Thakre and the former had directed the V-C to take appropriate action after seeking necessary clarification from the UGC. However, instead of following the HC directive, the V-C had, in a haste, again approved Dr Thakre’s selection as Principal in Professor’s grade. This was again objected to by the Management Council, which had then directed the V-C to act according to the directive of the High Court. The V-C had agreed to do so and on August 22 last, she had written to the UGC in this regard, seeking its clarification on the issue. The clarification was particularly sought on the point whether the PhD experience can be considered or counted towards the total experience of 15 years of teaching/research in university /colleges for the purpose of assessment of a candidate for the appointment as Principal either in Professor’s grade or Reader’s grade. In its reply, the UGC has clearly stated that PhD research being one of the minimum qualifications prescribed, its period cannot be counted for the total experience required. The UGC has directed the V-C to make all appointments for the post of Principal strictly in accordance with its Regulations, which are mandatory in nature. The UGC has further clarified that the clarification issued by it is also applicable in Dr Thakre’s case. This UGC clarification makes Dr Thakre’s appointment illegal and invalid, either in Professor’s grade or in Reader’s grade. Though the V-C had assured the Management Council to keep Dr Thakre’s approval in abeyance till the receipt of UGC clarification, she did not do that and when Senate objected to this in October 18 meeting last year, the V-C had assured to place the HC order and this issue before Legal Advisory Committee. However, it is reliably learnt that she has not yet placed it before this committee and though the UGC clarified on the matter on 31-10-2008, the V-C did not disclose it till this month. The varsity watchers said that this deed of V-C violated Section 8 of Maharashtra Universities Act, 1994 which prevented the varsity from increasing financial liabilities on the Government without prior approval of the government. It now remains to be seen what stand the V-C takes at March 21 Senate meeting to wriggle herself out of the embarrassing situation. Amending the wrong would give a right direction to the varsity, feel the varsity watchers.
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