Amendment to Maha University Act allows state government to politicize education
Anil Sole was speaking on the topic Who benefits from Maharashtra Public University Act Amendment Bill' organized at Puranchandra Buti Hall of the University, Nagpur.
Nagpur: Anil Sole, Former MLC, has expressed concern over the amendment in the Public Universities Act, 2016 of Maharashtra, Which was approved by the state assembly on the date of 28 December. It sets a very dangerous precedent for a progressive state like Maha by allowing the interference of the state government to politicize the education sector, Anil said.
Anil Sole was speaking on the topic ‘Who benefits from Maharashtra Public University Act Amendment Bill’ organized at Puranchandra Buti Hall of the University, Nagpur. He has said that the bill has been passed in haste without any proper procedural discussion. This undermines the authority of the Chancellor to appoint the Vice-Chancellors of the State Universities.
Milind Barahate, Principal of CP and Berar College, has stated that earlier the Chancellor was empowered to appoint the Vice-Chancellor from a panel of five names recommended by the Search Committee. Barhate has said that he also had the freedom to search for new names If they reject those five names.
The amendment proposes the creation of the post of pro-chancellor for those universities. Who shall be appointed by the MVA Government and shall have the right to any information relating to the academic and administrative matters of the University, Which obviously greatly undermines the autonomy of universities, Senate member Dinesh Sheram said.
Constitution Board Protection Promotion
Defending the amendments, Senate member Prashant Dekate has said that change is the only constant. The amendments will significantly strengthen the governance structure of public universities and will also improve the quality of higher education and research.
On the appointment of a pro-chancellor, Prashant has said that this has already been done in other major universities like MAFSU and will not dilute the powers of the chancellor at all.
Education expert Anil Dhage has said that too many changes could put the autonomy of the university at great risk. The constitution of a board for the protection and promotion of Marathi language and literature and amendments like the board of equal opportunity is in favor of the students and the society.
Other speakers present included GS Parashar and Shashikala Wanjari, former vice-chancellors of NU Siddharth Kane, Kalpana Pande, and MLC Abhijeet Wanjari.
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