Govt derecognises two social work colleges

Staff Reporter

The Social Welfare Commissioner of Maharashtra Om Prakash Bakoria has withdrawn the recognition of two social work colleges of Nagpur region. One college is Kamptee Social Work College, Kamptee, district Nagpur and other is Aniket Social Work College, Wardha. The reasons for withdrawal of recognition of both colleges are different. But the authority noticed mismanagement in both the colleges. Kamptee College is being run by Lord Buddha Sariputra Dnyan Prasarak Sanstha, registered at Brahmapuri in Chandrapur district. The orders of withdrawal of recognition were issued on different dates. In case of Kamptee College, the orders were issued on July 27, 2023 and for Wardha on July 14, 2023.

The enquiry committee that submitted the report mentioned 11 points and had recommended that Administrator should be appointed on the institution. The committee has pointed out that the college was being run by self-declared committees. Retired Registrar of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) Dr Puran Meshram was the President of the education society that started the college. The other body had removed Puran Meshram when 9 members voted against him and Ratna Khobragade was made Working President. Accordingly, the Management had informed the changes to RTMNU with a request to stop the recruitment finalised under Meshram. The Secretary Santosh Ramteke levelled allegations against Meshram of manipulating the affairs.

Similarly, the issue of irregularities in Aniket College, Wardha was raised by Arvi MLA Dadarao Keche in 2014. The then Social Justice Minister had constituted a committee of Regional Deputy Commissioner of Social Welfare Department to conduct enquiry. The committee pointed out the irregularities in the appointments. The committee had recommended to appoint Administrator at Aniket Shikshan Sanstha, Dighori, District Bhandara. Shockingly, the College appointed Dr Baba Shambharkar as Assistant Professor, the accused in bogus marksheet scam. Dr Baburao Karhade had lodged complaint against Dr Shambharkar objecting his appointment.

In both cases, Bakoria asked Assistant Commissioners of Wardha and Nagpur to stop salary and other grants to both the colleges. The Assistant Commissioners should take care that the students should not lose the academic year. “The action of withdrawing recognition to the colleges lack comprehensive view of the issue. Although, one of the orders does talk about accommodation of students in other colleges, the orders are silent on the absorption of teaching and non-teaching staff who were lawfully appointed and duly approved by the University and the Department. The sudden closure of the colleges will result in deprivation of learning to the students since the colleges were sanctioned in terms of the perspective plan of the university to ensure comprehensive equitable distribution of facilities for higher education having regard to the needs of unserved areas. Hence, the colleges should be allowed to function under the Administrators,” stated former Secretary of NUTA Dr Anil Dhage.