Chancellor’s secretary’s seat in front row raises eyebrows

Amravati: Several eyebrows were raised during 41st convocation of Amravati University on Sunday as chancellor PC Radhakrishnan's secretary Prashant Narnaware was given a seat in the front row of the convocation dais in stark violation of the ‘Seating arrangement for Convocation Rule 1994' of the university, approved by the Chancellor himself under Statute 2 of 79 and in vogue since 1994.
Academicians present for the convocation ceremony were shocked when they saw the chancellor's secretary Prashant Narnaware occupying the front row seat in stark violation of the Statute in this regard.
"This blatant breach of protocol set by the management council and approved by the chancellor himself has brought down the dignity of the convocation dais," said the academicians present for the ceremony while speaking to TOI.
They argued that when the statute clearly states that there shall be 13 seats in the first row if the chancellor is present and also specify the occupants of those, it was shocking to see the chancellor's secretary being given a front row seat in violation of the statute and the protocol when he is neither a member of any council of ministers nor a member of any authority or body of the university.
They also rued the failure of the university vice-chancellor in ensuring strict implementation of the statute. "If someone breaches any provision of any statute, action is taken against them. Here the chancellor himself has breached his own statute. In this case, where should one complain. Will the President of India take note of this breach by own custodian?" the agitated academicians asked.
It is reliably learnt that the chancellor also insisted on giving a chair to his secretary during photo session that preceded the convocation ceremony.