Pune: The Senate members of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) raised serious concerns over lack of transparency in committee appointments during the Senate meeting held on Saturday (March 22).
Allegations surfaced that the same individuals are repeatedly appointed to key committees, and in some cases, committee members submit reports without physically inspecting colleges, relying only on OTP verification.
Demand for Transparency in Committee Appointments
The Senate meeting, chaired by Vice-Chancellor Dr. Suresh Gosavi, saw heated discussions over the repeated appointment of certain members to university committees. Senate member Ashok Sawant moved an adjournment motion, demanding that the university publicly disclose the names of frequently appointed members and investigate those who file reports without conducting on-site visits.
Members also raised the question of who is responsible for these repeated appointments and called for clarity on why certain individuals are continuously favored for committee roles. They urged the administration to reveal the identity of these preferred members, referring to them as “committee darlings”. In response, Vice-Chancellor Dr. Suresh Gosavi assured that the necessary details would be provided to the Senate.
Senate Members Question Governance and Ethics
Beyond committee appointments, Senate members expressed frustration over their questions being ignored or rejected without explanation. Some members alleged that instead of formally addressing concerns, they were being contacted privately and asked to "cooperate". This led to strong criticism, with some questioning, “Is this a Senate or a cattle market?”
The session ended with calls for greater accountability and transparency in university governance.