Reinstate transferred employees: Maharashtra to University of Mumbai

The move will likely help resolve a decade-long funding standoff between the MU and the state

After an inquiry into the appointments made by the University of Mumbai (MU) revealed that it had illegally transferred employees from its payroll to the state's, the government has asked authorities to reinstate these employees to their original positions within three months.

Citing irregularities in the varsity's appointments, the state has withheld 75% salary funds granted to the varsity since 2004. (HT file photo)

The move will likely help resolve a decade-long funding standoff between the MU and the state. Citing irregularities in the varsity's appointments, the state has withheld 75% salary funds granted to the varsity since 2004.

“The government has appointed a committee to find out which employees were transferred irregularly. Once they are moved back to their original positions, the state will restart our funding,” said MA Khan, registrar, MU.

In its budget for the financial year 2016-17, the varsity had resolved to 'recover' its dues from the government, even as the state insisted that the university should come clean before claiming additional funds. Following the government directive, the university has sought details of all the employees working in its numerous departments.

The government had created 1,319 non-teaching and 365 teaching positions at MU, of which 1,055 and 202 have been filled, respectively. A similar number of people have been appointed on varsity's payroll.

Earlier this year, a probe by the Joint Director of Higher Education (Mumbai region) stated that the varsity had circumvented rules while appointing people on the government-aided posts, whose salaries are footed by the state.

The inquiry panel found that several employees, who were promoted to these positions, were in fact appointed on the self-financed posts created by the MU. In many categories, 100% employees were appointed through nomination or an internal recruitment system, as opposed to Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) recruitment.

"Many a time, universities resort to internal recruitment because they feel that MPSC's recruitment delays the process. However, these appointments must be approved by the government. In case of MU, it appears that many of these appointments don't have the government sanction," said an aide of education minister Vinod Tawde.