Nagpur: The state higher and technical education department has been quick in deducting Rs23lakh from the salaries of Nagpur University (NU) against former registrar Puran Meshram’s recovery within days of his superannuation on June 30. However, nearly two years after its own scrutiny revealed that Pro-VC Pramod Yeole’s appointments were ‘not as per norms’, the department has taken no action.
Surprisingly, the governor as well as the government have adopted a stoic silence over Yeole’s alleged illegal appointment.
Director Dhanraj Mane and joint director Archana Nerker didn’t respond to TOI’s queries on what action they plan to take in Yeole’s case based on the department’s September 14, 2016, scrutiny report. The governor’s office has never responded to TOI queries on the issue. Former NU professor Naresh Gaikwad’s repeated petitions to the governor too have gone unanswered.
Earlier this year, Yeole had probably lost the race for Mumbai and Solarpur VC posts because of the pending court case he filed to challenge the joint director’s (JD) report on his appointments.
In May this year, the Search Committee led by scientist K Kasturirangan had advised the governor “to conduct a due diligence about his (Yeole’s) background in view of a letter the committee received about his unsettled court case”.
“What applies for Mumbai and Solarpur VC posts, applies for Nagpur University Pro-VC post too. If his candidature was not considered by the panel and a cautionary note was marked, then the governor or the government must have initiated some suitable action,” said Gaikwad.
Yeole had moved the HC for interim relief against the joint director’s report but no stay was provided.
Going by this, the JD report is in effect and the government can take action it deems fit, Gaikwad added. Gaikwad said Meshram too had moved the court much before his retirement in June, yet the government had taken "precautionary measure" without waiting for the final HC order. “This shows government’s biased nature,” he alleged.
While explaining about Rs23lakh deduction from NU’s June salaries, joint director Nerker had told TOI, “We’re awaiting HC’s verdict. Once that is delivered, we would return the entire amount to NU. We can’t take direct action against him (Meshram) since the matter is sub-judice.” Gaikwad asked what was now stopping the joint director in Yeole’s case even when her predecessor had found the Pro-VC’s appointment against norms in her order which is very much alive.
Then joint director Anjali Rahatgaonkar’s report had revealed that Yeole’s second appointment as assistant professor in the Institute of Pharmaceutical Studies and Research located at Borgaon (Meghe) in Wardha was not made as per norms of apex bodies like UGC and AICTE.
Subsequently, all his higher posts, including principal and even the pro-VC were ‘illegal’ by that logic, even as Rahatgaonkar had refrained from using any direct term.
