SC/ST Commission gives clean chit to ex-VC of MU

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe Commission recently has given a clean chit to former University of Mumbai (MU) vice-chancellor Suhas Pednekar

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe Commission recently has given a clean chit to former University of Mumbai (MU) vice-chancellor Suhas Pednekar. It was alleged that he neglected to appoint officials from the backward caste during his tenure. The Commission has allowed his retirement benefits to be released.

The order of the hearing was released on December 16, in which the commission said, “After listening to both sides, the VC made appointments as per the Maharashtra Public University Act, 2016 section 14(5). The commission is not required to take action in this case after considering this complaint.” (HT PHOTO)

It had asked MU to submit a report on a complaint filed by the All-India Adiwasi Employee Federation against Pednekar for disregarding government orders in staff appointments in senior positions.

On November 29, Ashok Farde, a deputy registrar at MU, appeared before the commission as a representative of the university. The order of the hearing was released on December 16, in which the commission said, “After listening to both sides, the VC made appointments as per the Maharashtra Public University Act, 2016 section 14(5). The commission is not required to take action in this case after considering this complaint.”

The complaint letter alleged that “Pednekar disregarded a 2013 Government Resolution, which states that in case of vacant posts in any state university, a temporary charge should be assigned to the senior-most qualified deputy registrar. However, two senior officials – Deepak Vasave and Krishna Parad — who belonged to the ST category, were denied this elevation when there was a vacancy on posts such as registrar and director of the Board of Examination and Evaluation (BoEE) by appointing other persons on the posts, creating a feeling of caste discrimination.”