Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics Faces Scrutiny Over Vice-Chancellor Appointment
Pune’s esteemed Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (GIPE) is embroiled in controversy following allegations of irregularities in the appointment of Ajit Ranade as vice-chancellor in February 2022. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has been spurred into action due to a complaint filed by former GIPE faculty member Murali Krishna. Krishna’s complaint questions whether Ranade’s selection met the eligibility criteria stipulated by UGC regulations.
Background and Allegations
Murali Krishna’s formal grievance filed on December 19, 2023, claims that Ranade did not meet the UGC requirement of having a minimum of 10 years of experience as a professor before being appointed as vice-chancellor. On June 26, UGC responded to this complaint by issuing a stern letter to GIPE’s then-chancellor, Rajiv Kumar, demanding an action-taken report. The commission warned of severe consequences, including the potential closure of courses, departments, and off-campus programs, should GIPE fail to comply.
Krishna revealed that he had requested information from GIPE via the Right to Information (RTI) Act on April 17, 2023, regarding whether Ranade met the UGC eligibility criteria. "GIPE replied with a no," Krishna stated. He emphasized that appointing a vice-chancellor who does not meet the essential qualifications is as inappropriate as hiring a peon who lacks the required education.
UGC’s Stance
The UGC’s letter communicated the gravity with which they view such violations, asserting that adherence to UGC regulations is mandatory for all universities and colleges. "The Hon’ble Supreme Court, in a number of cases, has made it clear that the selection procedure given in the UGC Regulations is mandatory in the appointment of a vice-chancellor," the letter underlined.
Despite multiple communications from UGC on January 15 and June 4, GIPE had yet to provide a satisfactory response or take corrective measures. This non-compliance has heightened the stakes for the institute, already reeling from the ramifications of this alleged oversight.
Change in Leadership
Amidst the turmoil, GIPE announced that Bibek Debroy, an advisor to the Prime Minister, will assume the role of chancellor. This leadership transition is seen as a strategic response to steer the institution through its current challenges.
Recurrent Objections
This isn’t the first time Ajit Ranade’s eligibility has attracted scrutiny. Concerns were initially raised in October 2021 when the Servants of India Society (SIS), under whose aegis GIPE operates, addressed a letter to Rajiv Kumar. The SIS, in a letter signed by its secretary Milind Deshmukh and trustee Ramakanta Lenka, pointed out a potential conflict of interest with Ranade’s candidacy, as he was then a member of GIPE’s Board of Management.
The letter suggested that involving internal members like professor Mahendra Dev in the search-cum-selection committee might be ethically and morally inappropriate. Both Ranade and Chinmay Deshmukh, the latter being Milind Deshmukh’s son and also a trustee of SIS, clarified that Ranade had resigned from his Board of Management position before applying for the vice-chancellor post to avoid any conflict of interest.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding Ajit Ranade’s appointment as vice-chancellor has put GIPE under a microscope, raising questions about governance and adherence to regulatory norms. As institutions like GIPE are held to high standards of transparency and integrity, the outcome of this inquiry could significantly impact its academic programs and reputation. For now, all eyes are on how GIPE will navigate these troubled waters and whether it can restore its esteemed status without compromising its foundational principles.
For further information about the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, you can visit their official website here.
