Indian Express: Pune: Monday, September 30, 2013.
Some of the
private deemed universities in Pune have been blatantly flouting norms laid
down under the RTI Act besides showing brazen non-compliance towards orders
issued by the Ministry of Human Resource and Development (MHRD) and the
University Grants Commission (UGC) when it comes to disclosure of information
in public interest.
Private
deemed universities are duty-bound to make public vital details like funding
pattern, intake and admissions, fee structure and information pertaining to
their management for the benefit of stakeholders, primarily students, among
other details.
Symbiosis
International University (SIU), Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University (BVDU) and
Dr D Y Patil University (DPU) are among the established deemed universities
headquartered in Pune which have been found to be major violators. Tilak
Maharashtra Vidyapeeth (TMV), another deemed university, has been the sole
exception by taking steps to comply with distinct procedures mentioned by
aforesaid top government bodies to ensure transparency and accountability in
working.
A close look
at fully updated and user-friendly websites of SIU, BVDU and DPU reveal the
sorry state of overall implementation of guidelines under RTI Act and public
disclosure sought by MHRD and UGC.
While SIU
website’s link for mandatory disclosure shows a message ‘page under
construction’, a visit to desired webpage of BVDU ends up cautioning ‘malware’
attack. The DPU website does not have dedicated link of RTI provisions or any
mandatory disclosure.
On the other
hand, TMV has kept on its website desired information related to RTI Act and
also disclosure of information in public interest in keeping with UGC and MHRD
directives.
It is
noteworthy that in April 2009, the Central Information Commission (CIC) then
led by Shailesh Gandhi had delivered a verdict bringing private and deemed
universities under the ambit of RTI Act. Gandhi had ruled that deemed
universities get status by virtue of a notification used by the UGC Act and
therefore should be considered public authorities as defined under the RTI Act.
Further,
MHRD, through its order no F.4-302009- U.I (A) dated July 17, 2009, followed by
UGC, through directives issued vide letter No F.6- 1(7)/2006 (cpp-I) dated
August 7, 2009, prevailed upon private deemed universities for disclosure of
information in public interest.
Deemed
universities, in keeping with these distinct instructions, are expected to
maintain around 17 different manuals disseminating information about
particulars of organisation, duties and responsibilities of the officers and
other employees, procedure followed in the decision-making process, channels of
supervision and accountability, norms set for the discharge of functions,
annual budget and particulars of recipients of concessions, permits or
authorisations granted, among other crucial details.
The details
about funds provided by the appropriate government agencies directly or
indirectly and its expenditure receipts are also expected to be made public by
deemed universities, and in keeping with the disclosure sought by MHRD and UGC.
TMV registrar
Umesh Keskar said his organisation makes conscious efforts to comply with
different norms spelt by government bodies time to time. “There is no harm in
being transparent and accountable. Sharing desired information through
mandatory disclosures enhances trust among our stakeholders,” he said.
Authorities
react:
Reacting on
non-compliance on their part to RTI Act and government directives, top
authorities at the educational institutions blamed their technical teams for
lapses. “We have appointed a public information officer and appellate authority
as stipulated under the RTI Act. Some technical errors must have reflected in
non-uploading of mandatory disclosures on our website and these would be
rectified at the earliest,” founder-president of the Symbiosis Society, S B
Mujumdar, said.
BVDU
registrar G Jayakumar said the webpage of the university website was attacked
by virus. “Instructions will be issued soon to restore the page. We will ensure
necessary compliance with orders from MHRD and UGC takes place on our part at
the earliest,” he said.
DPU
chancellor K B Powar said he would look into the issue and undertake necessary
measures to adhere to government directives.
‘Compliance
will reveal basis for fee structure’:
Educational
counsellor and RTI activist Vivek Velankar stressed the need for strict
implementation of suo motu disclosure under Section 4 of RTI Act by private
deemed universities. “The enabling provisions of Section 4 would force private
deemed universities to reveal their fee structure and basis for deciding it. It
would also convey to students and parents whom to approach for redressal of
grievances. Universities would be forced to club together different ordinances
under suo moto disclosure. To summarise, life would be easy for students and
parents if deemed universities toe the line with RTI Act and other mandatory
disclosures,” he said.
‘Deemed-to-be
status should be removed’:
Rajendra
Chaudhari, another educational activist, said UGC should strip private
universities off deemed-to-be status if they fail to comply with the RTI Act
and directives from UGC and MHRD. “Our experience is that private deemed
universities often do not entertain RTI applicants, forget other compliance.
Governing bodies like UGC should rein in such uncontrolled working of deemed
universities. If implemented in letter and spirit, total compliance would also
address the issue of affordability of education,” he said.
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