DTE questions formation of committees by RTMNU for compliance by technical colleges

By Vikas Vaidya

The Directorate of Technical Education (DTE) has questioned formation of committees by Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) to check the compliance’s by technical institutions. The colleges have sent protest letters to the DTE asking why the university formed a separate committee to inspect their college when the DTE has already constituted a panel. Apart from overlapping jurisdiction, the colleges are put to great inconvenience due to jurisdictional conflict between two separate panels.
Three months ago, the DTE inspected teaching and other infrastructure facilities at the technical institutions in Maharashtra. During the inspection, the DTE had identified certain loopholes. The colleges concerned were asked to remove the shortcomings and comply with it. Now, the DTE has sent a three-member committee to check whether the colleges have removed the deficiencies or not. Surprisingly, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU), too, decided to conduct inspections independently.
Dr S K Mahajan, Director of Technical Education told ‘The Hitavada’, “As a part of the procedure, we have informed the universities about the issue. First, we did not ask universities to form the committees. In case they are constituting panels, it is not expected so early. I do not have any information about universities forming such committees. We have conducted the survey at our level, our committee did the initial procedure and we will submit the report to the Government.”
Curiously, the five member University committees have dominance of representatives from Wardha district, for the reasons best known to the authorities. Sources said that some of the members were junior with active experience of hardly one or two years. How can they evaluate the colleges’ compliance, is a big question, the sources wondered.
The wording of the letter by the university to the colleges is not very serious. It has mentioned five-point deficiencies. But while do so, the very purpose of such a lackluster communication has created confusion among college authorities. After pointing out the deficiencies, in the last point, the letter states ‘overall satisfactory,’ leaving colleges baffled. The colleges have received the letter duly signed by Dr Raman Madne, Assistant Registrar of College Section, RTMNU.
Joint Director of Technical Education, G R Thakare, said, “I have no idea about formation of the committee by the university. Neither DTE asked them to form the committee nor they approached us. In our earlier committee, we had nominated members representing Government colleges. The old members are replaced by the new one in the new committee to maintain the impartiality. The university should have taken us into confidence and both committees could have worked together.”
The DTE committee will prepare a report and submit it to the Government by February 12. The colleges that are found to be flouting the norms, will have to be answerable to the DTE and then appropriate action can be taken after following principles of natural justice.