UoP officials claim Dr Narendra Kadu, whose cellphone has remained switched off for the past 10 days, went missing during a crisis when non-teaching staff called a flash strike, jeopardising the next day's BEd exam
If the recent event is the yardstick used to measure efficacy of the University of Pune’s Registrar Dr Narendra Kadu, then it appears that he is not up to the mark. Just 10 ago, the UoP witnessed a flash strike called by the non-teaching staff during which they tried to block exam-related transportation. Had the protesters succeeded, it would have taken its toll on the BEd examination scheduled for the next day.u00a0
What’s up? UoP Registrar Dr Narendra Kadu’s cellphone has been switched off for the last 10 days. File Pic
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Thanks to presence of mind exhibited by education department head Dr Sanjeev Sonavne, who transported exam barcodes and other exam-related material in his private car, the day was saved. u00a0But what surprised the varsity officials was the absence of Kadu, the administrative head of the UoP, during the hour of crisis. Officials claimed that none of them were able to get through him as his cellphone was switched off. Surprisingly, Kadu’s phone remained switched off even during working hours.u00a0
When contacted, UoP Vice-Chancellor Dr W N Gade said, “I will definitely ask him (Dr Kadu) to remain available on his cellphone.” u00a0Despite undergoing treatment and being asked by the doctors to cut down on the workload, Gade answers call on his personal number even at odd hours. u00a0“Dr Kadu is not only unavailable on his personal number, but is even reluctant in taking necessary action. During a recent protest, wherein the employees suddenly declared bandh, the registrar failed to even issue show-cause notices to the members of the employee unions who called for the strike,” a senior professor from the varsity, requesting anonymity, said.u00a0
Dr Gajanan Ekbote, senior senate member of the UoP and executive president of Progressive Education Society, shared a similar experience. “As an administrative head, the registrar is expected to be alert and remain available on his personal number 24x7. But Dr Kadu has not only switched off his cellphone, but hasn’t even replied to the messages left at his office. I have experienced this twice in the past,” Ekbote said.u00a0
Material uploaded on the UoP website clearly defines a registrar’s role — the registrar shall be the Chief Administrative Officer of the university. He shall be a full-time salaried officer and shall work directly under the superintendence, direction and control of the Vice-Chancellor.u00a0
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