MU graduates will get results before July 31, says Vinod Tawde

Mumbai: Education minister Vinod Tawde assured the Maharashtra council that students who appeared for MU’s graduate exams would get their results before July 31. He also said that an internal inquiry on the software development company, which provided the software for the on-screen assessment of final year exam papers, has already begun. He said that the government has focused on clearing results on time as of now and will take other steps only after July 31.

Opposition members aggressively demanded the resignation of vice chancellor Dr Sanjay Deshmukh but the government did not commit itself on this. Congress MLC Sharad Ranpise raised this issue in the council. "Future of lakhs of students is in the dark today. Nobody knows when they would get their results so that they could get admission for further education. Vice Chancellor Mr Deshmukh is responsible for this mess," alleged Mr Ranpise. Shiv Sena MLC Anil Parab demanded action on Dr Deshmukh.

Mr Tawde while replying to members informed that 70 per cent answer sheets have been checked till now. "On Tuesday 1 lakh answer sheets have been cleared. It means the speed of checking has increased. Still 5 lakh 29 thousand answer sheets are yet to be checked. At this rate, we will meet July 31 deadline," informed Mr Tawde.

Opposition members asked Mr Tawde about the action on software development company which has given contract of the process.  "The company is renowned. But still the department has given written notice to it and action has begun." said Mr Tawde.

Sena's Neelam Gorhe asked a bitter question to Mr Tawde. "Why the government is still protecting Dr Deshmukh?” Mr Tawde categorically replied to this by saying that no one will be protected if they were found guilty. "Now we are focusing on declaring the results on time. Once that is done by July 31, other issues will be handled. There is no reason to protect any guilty person," said Mr Tawde. Mr Tawde also informed that 11 students who cleared the pharmacy exams are informed about results secretly. The state government will ensure that this does not affect students who want to go abroad for further education and their future.

State conducts probe to ascertain cause of delay

The Maharashtra government initiated a probe into the delay in papers assessments. The probe was conducted by state education Minister Vinod Tawde. Following figures resulted out of the probe:

• Out of 477 courses, results of 104 have been declared. The rest would be declared by July 31.
• Papers that are yet to be assessed are 5,212,95.
• Department of Arts has 61,992 remaining.
• Department of Commerce has 3,75,606 remaining.
• Department of Law has 3,9942 remaining.
• Management has 28,477 remaining.
• Science has 13,004 papers remaining.
• Technical Courses have 10,474 papers remaining.
• Others remaining are 200.
• 70 per cent correction has been completed, 30 per cent remains.
• Technical errors will be resolved.
• Marksheets will be given as soon as the results are declared.
• State government will bring down the revaluation charge, which is Rs 600 currently.
• If needed, government will increase the number of teachers and examiners to speed up the process.