RTI reply reveals university took no action even though two inquiry committees indicted former director of ISC
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Seats-for-money scam comes back to haunt UoP
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RTI reply reveals university took no action even though two inquiry committees indicted former director of ISC
In 2008, allegations that the University of Pune (UoP) had given backdoor entry to non-eligible students in exchange for money had caused much scandal. Three years on, the issue has been rekindled, after former senate member Atul Bagul made public a couple of inquiry reports into the scam after filing an RTI query.u00a0
In 2008, allegations that the University of Pune (UoP) had given backdoor entry to non-eligible students in exchange for money had caused much scandal. Three years on, the issue has been rekindled, after former senate member Atul Bagul made public a couple of inquiry reports into the scam after filing an RTI query.u00a0
Scandal at varsity: Allegations were first made in 2008 that some local
students were given seats meant for Person of Indian Origin after money
changed hands. File pic
Bagul alleged that the Vice-Chancellor R K Shevgaonkar had deliberately kept the reports under wraps and was trying to shield the culprits involved in the PIO scam. Demanding an inquiry by the anti-corruption bureau or criminal investigation department, Bagul said that Pandit should be immediately sacked.
The scam had broken out in 2008 when it was alleged that the former director of International Students' Centre (ISC) Shantishree Pandit ws guilty of giving seats reserved for PIOs to local student in return for money.
The seats reserved for PIOs require much less cut-off percentages. "Despite the fact that the two inquiry committees appointed clearly say that she is guilty, she is allowed to continue in service. The only punishment given is that five increments due to her are withheld. This is a mockery of justice," said Bagul.
Between 2002 and 2007, around 1,800 students got admissions under the PIO quota and admissions were co-coordinated by ISC, the nodal agency for all foreign admissions at the university and its affiliated institutions.
After the scam broke out, two committees were appointed by then Vice-Chancellor Narendra Jadhav, one headed by Sunanda Pawar and the other by Justice J A Patil, to probe the case and the role of the main accused Pandit, who was then the ISC director.
According to papers received under the RTI by Bagul regarding details of the inquiry committee report, Justice Patil committee has indicted Pandit for misconduct and moral turpitude in the PIO scam. It says that Pandit lowered the criteria for admissions without getting the approval of UoP's management council.
"Even the Pawar committees clearly said that it appears the irregularities in admissions were done by former director to gain financial benefit," said Bagul. "The report states that some staff members confessed to having received financial benefits by Pandit for the PIO seats, even though students were not eligible.
Also, it said that Pandit fostered outsiders in her office who seem to have influenced admissions pointing towards agents." Bagul has now demanded that a special audit report of all admissions and finances of ISC put down by an external agency appointed by the UoP be made public immediately.
The Other Side
In spite of repeated attempts, V-C R K Shevgaonkar didn't respond to MiD DAY's queries. Vasudev Gade, director of Board of College and University Development (BCUD), was neither available in office, nor did he respond to our telephonic queries.
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