Administrators appointed for three years at seven Sinhgad society colleges in Pune over unpaid staff dues

The higher education department has finally taken over the management of seven colleges of the Sinhgad Technical Education Society. The decision to appoint administrators at these colleges for three years was taken by Dr Shailendra Deolankar, the Director of Higher Education (in charge).

The decision comes at a time when the salaries of the society's teaching and non-teaching staff have been pending for several years. Retirement benefits have also not been paid, and mismanagement by the society had worsened the situation.

The seven colleges whose management will now come under administrators are: Sinhgad College of Law, Smt. Kashibai Navale College of Education, Sinhgad College of Arts and Commerce (Nhe), Nivritti Babaji Navale College of Commerce and Science, Sinhgad College of Commerce (Kondhwa), Smt. Kashibai Navale College of Commerce (Erandwane) and Sinhgad College of Science (Ambegaon).

Staff have not received regular salaries for several years. Arrears under the Sixth and Seventh Pay Commissions and pension benefits have also not been paid. More than 13 employees died by suicide amid this financial hardship, a grave matter that the High Court has also recorded in its order.

The High Court repeatedly issued orders on the staff salaries, but the society did not act on them. The higher education department had also sent several notices and reminder letters directing that salaries be paid. The society did not give a satisfactory reply.

The decision to take over management has been made under Section 3(1) of the Maharashtra Educational Institutions (Management) Act, 1976. The Joint Director of Higher Education for the Pune division has been given powers as administrator of the seven colleges.

The main aim of the decision is to prevent academic loss to students and to resolve the staff's pending matters.

Dr Shailendra Deolankar, Director of Higher Education, said: "The salaries and retirement benefits of the staff of the seven Sinhgad colleges have been pending for years. The High Court's orders were also not complied with. This was affecting the staff and the students. Therefore, in the public interest and to avoid loss to students, these colleges have been taken over for three years under the 1976 Act."