After being removed as Controller of Examinations in 2012, Dr Vilas Shinde’s name features in the list of short-listed candidates for the same post
Dr Vilas Shinde
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After facing the wrath of students’ union, Dr Vilas Shinde, who was suspended from the post of Controller of Examinations (COE) of the Mumbai University (MU) for allegedly submitting forged documents supporting his work experience, is likely to return to the same post. Shinde’s name features in the list of 10-odd short-listed candidates for the final round of the process to be held on Wednesday. And a permanent appointment on the post again being a matter of debate will only cause more delay.
There hasn’t been a full-time, permanent COE, an important post in the varsity, for almost a year now. This is the second time when the selection process for a new person is being conducted.
Interviews of those short-listed for the post by the selection committee will be conducted today. After the process, a few names will be recommended for a final decision on the appointment.
The shocker
A senior official from the varsity said, “Of the few short-listed names, Shinde’s has raised many eyebrows. Everybody knew that he had applied. But the fact that his application got short-listed was a shocker to many.”
Reacting to the development, Vice President of the Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena (MNVS) Sudhakar Tamboli, who is also a former senate member of the varsity, said, “Reconsidering a person for the post who was earlier suspended makes us question if the varsity has no appropriately qualified people for the job. It is not only a very important position, but also a sensitive one. How can the selection committee even shortlist such a person’s name?
This shows that there are people in the selection committee still willing to appoint him to the post.”
MNVS has written a letter to the MU vice chancellor, warning that if Shinde’s name is considered for the post, the youth wing of the political party will start a protest against the varsity.
Official speak
When contacted, registrar of the university Dr MA Khan, who also serves as the secretary of the selection committee, said, “There are around 10 names short-listed for the interview round, the last of the two-round process. After scrutiny, a few names from the lot will be recommended for the administration’s final decision.”
When asked if finally the varsity will get a full-time COE, Khan clarified that there may not be a final decision here. “It has happened once that the committee was not able to recommend any names after the interview round and the entire process had to be done again with fresh applications,” he explained.
Despite repeated attempts, Shinde remained unavailable for comment.
The controversy
Dr. Vilas Shinde was appointed as the Controller of Examinations in 2008. Questions were raised on his sudden elevation from the post of an assistant professor of mechanical engineering to the head of the examinations department. He was suspended in 2012 after it came to light that he had allegedly submitted forged documents to support his work experience.
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