NU reply sought over model code ‘violation’

Nagpur: While Mumbai and North Maharashtra universities deferred their annual budget in view of the model code of conduct, the Nagpur University (NU) vice-chancellor SP Kane has landed in a soup by ‘arbitrarily’ going ahead with the Senate meeting which cleared the university’s budget on March 14.
Former chairman of NU Mass Communication board, Sunil Mishra, has lodged a complaint with the chief election commissioner and collectors of Nagpur, Wardha, Gondia and Bhandara districts, which are NU’s jurisdiction.

Ashwin Mudgal, returning officer for Nagpur district, confirmed that the complaint has been received. “We have called an explanation from the NU. We will examine the reply when it is received,” he said.

The code of conduct kicked in across the country on March 10 evening when the Election Commission of India announced the Lok Sabha polls.

The NU senate meeting to pass the annual budget worth Rs382crore was planned in February. However, during the meeting, Senate members had cautioned the VC and acting registrar Niraj Khaty to hold back the budget until the opinion of the governor, district returning officer and divisional commissioner is sought.

Senate member Manmohan Bajpai, a lawyer by profession, had insisted that the meeting be suspended for 10 minutes so that the administration can seek the permission from one of the competent authorities.

Turning down Bajpai’s request, Kane had said that the Governor, who is chancellor, had accorded permission for the Senate meeting and, therefore, there was no need to seek anymore opinion.

Vice-chancellor Kane and Khaty didn’t answer TOI’s calls, messages and mails in this regard.

Bajpai said, “I had pointed out that the permission given by chancellor was much before the code of conduct came into force. I also told them that the university needs to categorically seek permission in the light of model code. The VC simply said it was not needed,” he said.

Complainant Mishra said the government resolution issued by department of higher and technical education nail Kane’s arbitrary decision. “The GR dated March 20 clearly demonstrates that public universities can’t pass their annual budget during the code of conduct. It is as simple as that,” he said.

In its letter, the department had instructed Mumbai University registrar that the budget had to be deferred as the Senate includes people from different spheres of life.

“There are elected representatives and members from general public who present the problems of common people before the Senate. The decisions taken are directly in conflict with model code,” said Mishra.

While the government and the governor refused permission for budget to the two universities, the GR and letter allowed the VCs to use their special powers for sanctioning emergency funds and grants. The clarification had come in response to letters by the universities.

“Why did the Nagpur University VC failed to seek a clarification,” Mishra and Bajpai asked seeking action for violation of code of conduct.

Box

IN A NUTSHELL

NU passes annual budget worth Rs382 crore on March 14

Model Code was implemented on March 10 evening

VC Kane told Senate permission was already granted by governor, who is chancellor of universities

Members told Kane that permission was granted before model code and thus Senate needed second opinion

Kane told them “it was not needed”

Sunil Mishra lodges complaint with election commission, returning officers