Pune: The state government has formed a new committee to scrutinize various aspects of private universities' operations. This move follows the failure of the previous committee to submit its report on time. The new committee has been given a two-month deadline to submit its findings.
The committee will review the details of funds accumulated by private universities, the appointment of vice-chancellors, the submission of university authority meetings and annual reports to the government, and the strict adherence to merit-based student admissions.
According to Section 51 of the Maharashtra Private Universities (Establishment and Regulation) Act, 2023, a previous committee was established on February 27, 2024, to ensure compliance with all provisions, rules, regulations, or orders by self-financed universities. However, this committee's term has ended without delivering a comprehensive report.
In response, a new committee chaired by former State Level Audit Committee Chairman, Adv. Sachin Patwardhan, has been appointed to conduct a thorough review. The committee includes Director of Technical Education, Vinod Mohitkar, as a member, and acting Director of Higher Education, Shailendra Deolankar, as coordinator and member secretary.
The committee will investigate:
Whether the appointment of vice-chancellors is as per regulations.
Whether appointments and salaries of teaching and non-teaching staff comply with the rules.
Whether admissions are conducted as per the reserved categories.
Whether 40% of seats are reserved for state students.
Whether an ombudsman has been appointed.
The committee is also tasked with making recommendations to enhance the academic quality and address educational and administrative issues in private universities.
The Higher and Technical Education Department has directed the committee to submit its comprehensive report within two months.