Bill tabled to make min pro-chancellor of univs

Bill tabled to make min pro-chancellor of univs

Mumbai: 25.12.2021

The state government on Friday tabled amendments to the Maharashtra Public Universities Act to introduce the post of a prochancellor which will be occupied by the minister of higher and technical education. The pro-chancellor’s powers are to be wide ranging: from chairing the university's senate, its high-level decision making body, to presiding over the convocation ceremony in absence of the chancellor. TOI has access to a copy of the draft bill which was tabled in the upper house. It will come up for discussion in the coming week. Experts say the move is a blow to the autonomy of the universities, reports Hemali Chhapia.

WB seeks to axe guv, make CM head univs

The WB government plans to seek legal opinion on whether the CM can be made chancellor of state-run universities as governor Jagdeep Dhankar, the chancellor, does not see anything positive in the varsities, education minister Bratya Basu said. TNN

‘Amendments retrograde, detrimental to higher edu’

Among the amendments, the state has also proposed altering the selection method of the vice chancellor.

The state will now receive the list of five nominees picked by the selection panel, shortlist two for the consideration of the governor, the chancellor of universities.

“If the state does not approve any of the person so recommended, it may call for a fresh panel either from the same committee or after constitution of a new committee,” said the draft.

The plan has been roundly criticised by eminent academicians. “The concept of autonomous universities was given to us by the Britishers. Under that the VC is the head of the institution and no one can enter the campus or interfere in its functioning. The chancellor is expected to save the university from the influence of the state government or politics. That freedom should not be taken away. We are facing a conflicting situation,” said former vice chancellor of Pune University Ram Takawle.

Bhushan Patwardhan, former vice chairman of University Grants Commission, said the amendments are “retrograde” and “detrimental” to higher education.

“These changes will have long term adverse impact on the universities. The amendments are crossing all limits. Ministerial level interference in the appointment of the VC and selecting a person of their choice and ideology is like taking over education. If the universities’ freedom is taken away, the central government will have to step in and stop this. I hope the state reconsiders these amendments,” said Patwardhan.

He recalled that in 30 years of being a part of the university system, he had never seen such interference. Some other states have made attempts to dilute the autonomy of their universities but those were met with protests and the states were forced to retreat. Except once, when the Maharashtra Public Universities Bill was amended in 1974 and all financial powers were taken away by the state, including the right to create new positions.

“With these proposals, the state has murdered the autonomy of universities,” said former pro-vice chancellor of Mumbai University A D Sawant.

TIMES VIEW: Maharashtra now holds the dubious reputation of going against the broader national policy of depoliticizing campuses. Experts are worried about the likely impact on universities if the minister begins to chair meetings. Interference in day-to-day functioning of campuses by politicians goes against the spirit of academic freedom. It bears repetition that this government sought to directly appoint a registrar to the Mumbai University by sidestepping the procedure. The courts had to intervene and the state lost the case.