Padma Deshmukh (52), the controller of examination at Mumbai of University has put in her papers within six months of joining the post. The reason of her sudden resignation was unclear. Her tenure was for five years.
The advertisement for the new controller’s post is already uploaded on the University website.
According to sources, she resigned in December third soon after the completion of the second half of the examination. However, varsity, which was already receiving flak due to Neeraj Hatekar suspension issue kept the news under wrap to avoid further embarrassment.
The development has left every one into surprise as she has been the least controversial Controller of the University in past few years.
Deshmukh is the first woman controller of MU who joined as full-time controller in May 2013. Controller’s tenure is of five years. “She handled the toughest department of the University quite ‘satisfactorily’ as compared to her predecessors”, says a professor expressing the shock over her resignation.
The controller’s job at MU is extremely critical and stressful considering large number of students and complicated credit system but Deshmukh picked the bits within few weeks. Speculating the reason, an exam-house official claimed, “She was not given a free-hand in decisions. Access to certain file-cabinets was also denied to her.”
According to sources, she had expressed her unhappiness over the poor performance of MU’s controversial outsourcing agency MKCL in the recently concluded semester exams and had reportedly suggested the higher-ups to end the contract with the firm.
When contacted, Deshmukh replied that she was driving. Thereafter she didn’t respond to calls and message.
In a late night message, varsity registrar MA Khan stated to media-persons, “According to her, she has been invited by her management at the CHM college, Ulhasnagar (She was principal there before coming to MU) by her management to act as in-charge principal.” Khan added that she would be relived after selection of new COE for which the process is already initiated.
According to unconfirmed sources, present principal of CHM College Bhavna Motwani has resigned paving the way for Deshmukh.
