Mumbai University results: Shiv Sena moves privilege motion against education min

Mumbai: Shiv Sena MLC Anil Parab on Tuesday moved a breach of privilege motion against Education Minister Vinod Tawde in the Legislative Council over the delay in declaration of results by the Mumbai University (MU) despite Tawde's earlier assurance that they will be declared on time.

Since the last examination paper was on April 23, the MU, as per norms, should have declared the results within 45 days, he said.

Parab said when the results were not declared in the stipulated time, he inquired about the delay and found out that assessment of papers had not even begun.

"Later we found out that the University had opted for an online assessment of answer sheets despite warnings from officials that it won't work. This report, in which it was clearly stated by officials that they aren't prepared for online checking, even went to the governor," he told the Council.

Parab said the governor, who is Chancellor of universities in the state, then directed the Vice-Chancellor of MU to ensure that all results are declared by July 31, which was not done, thus disrespecting the governor.

"The education minister (Vinod Tawde) had assured the House (Council) that results will be declared on time, which did not happen. I am thus moving a Privilege Motion against him," the Sena leader said.

Legislative Council Vice-Chairman Manikrao Thakre then reserved his ruling to a later date. "Once the education minister gives his clarification, I will give my ruling," Thakre said. Earlier, while moving an adjournment motion on the issue, Congress member Sharad Ranpise said the governor's orders should be binding on the government.

"The minister (Tawde) had informed the House that all results will be declared by July 31. However, the government and the minister have not followed the governor's orders," Ranpise said.

Leader of Opposition Dhananjay Munde (NCP) said the futures of lakhs of students have been blurred due to the inefficiency of the Vice Chancellor. "Laws over the appointment of the VC were flouted. The education minister should resign and the VC should be sacked," Munde demanded.

JD (U) member Kapil Patil said that hundreds of students who got admissions in foreign varsities are stranded due to non-declaration of results, leaving them frustrated and depressed. "Sanjay Deshmukh (VC of MU) is not even competent to hold the post," he said.

Congress MLC Sanjay Dutt said if the online assessment had to be done, it should have been carried out in phases and a pilot project should have been launched involving a few thousand students.