Noteban impact: Universities in Maharashtra directed to go cashless

Mumbai University, along with 19 others in the state, to follow the governor's diktat. File pic

As the state universities attempt to go cashless in the current demonetised environment, governor of Maharashtra and chancellor of universities of the state, Vidyasagar Rao has ordered the Mumbai University and 19 other state universities to go carry out all their transactions online instead of collecting cash. University registrar MA Khan, told mid-day, "Though the students' tuition fees are collected through cheques or DD, the registration fees for exams, etc are collected through cash which will now be moved online completely."

Maharashtra Governor Vidyasagar Rao

Though the process of transition has begun, Khan said, adding, "Most of our transactions happen through Gateway, Nifty or cheque, but for other purposes, a certain infrastructure will be needed, which will take a while."

Mugdha Karnik, director of the Extra Mural Studies, MU, said "It will be a very beneficial move for the students who spend hours and hours in queues to pay their fees." However, Karnik, who has been at the university for 26 years, is skeptical of the change and reiterates, "I'll be glad if it is implemented efficiently. When the visiting faculty comes, their mere R80 allowance sometimes comes three months late. If at all the online transactions are better executed, I say, why not?"