Vinod Tawde refutes charges over second shift

Education minister Vinod Tawde has refuted allegations made by the vice-principal of a government-run polytechnic in Bandra (east) of second shifts being shut down in polytechnics so that students are forced to take admission in privately run institutions. Mr Tawde said the allegations were being made by professors who had not received salaries for a few months. He added that as the government does not have the funds to pay the staff, the second shifts should be discontinued.

In an event held on February 17, Mr Tawde had said that the polytechnics running second shifts would be discontinued. Dr R.P. Barhate, vice-principal of the government polytechnic at Kherwadi, who was also present at the event, reacted sharply and said, “Most of the students who study in the polytechnics come from financially weaker sections of society. As the fees are as low as Rs 3,000 they are able to learn and start earning thereafter. However, privately run polytechnics charge almost Rs 20,000 for the same courses, and such students will be discouraged from continuing their education and also end up as drop outs.”

Explaining the problem behind stopping second shifts, Dr Barhate said, “Currently 2,200 students are enrolled in the two shifts. If the second shift is discontinued, 1,100 students will have to find an alternative institution. The government had started dual shifts in 2011 with an aim to help more and more youngsters learn a vocation and support themselves. The current government is also promoting the same, but Mr Tawde’s actions are contrary to it, which implies that he has an ulterior motive.”

He said that nearly 250 staffers, including lecturers and Class 3 and 4 employees, who had worked in the second shifts, had not been paid their dues for five years. “Though the government had ordered the starting of the second shift, those involved have not been paid. The decision to stop the second shift could be an attempt to avoid paying the arrears which run into crores as almost each of the 250 staff expects an average payout of Rs 3-5 lakh,” said Dr Barhate.

Referring to his statement, Mr Tawde said, “These professors already earn a handsome salary but since they did not get some months’ salary they went on strike, which affected students. I told them if they were not getting their salaries their strike was justified but just because they are not getting additional salaries for the second shift their action is not justified. I said that if the government cannot pay, we must shut down the second shift.”