Varsities begin new chapter, scrap contract with dubious IT firm

The imminent change of guard in Maharashtra is seeing Nagpur and Mumbai universities scrambling to put their houses in order. The varsities have decided to snap ties with a controversial IT firm that they had aggressively backed earlier.

Both the universities had been refusing to clear bills, collectively amounting to over Rs5 crore, of the Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation Limited (MKCL) owing to gross deficiency in the services. However, despite various adverse reports, the contracts were never cancelled.

In 2005-06, MKCL had been awarded the "e-Suvidha" project, which entailed developing an online system with regard to admission, reassessment, retotalling and convocation and handing it over to the universities. While the contract didn't have any mention of a deadline, the project got delayed over three years and the system was never given to the universities. There were allegations that MKCL had the backing of the NCP.

Following the rout of Congress and NCP in Lok Sabha polls, the Nagpur University (NU) began taking over the work from MKCL in July. An animated discussion among the higher-ups last week paved the way for Mumbai University (MU).

Prof VS Deshpande, vice-chancellor (acting) of NU, and Pro Vice-Chancellor of MU Naresh Chandra confirmed the developments. They, however, denied having any knowledge of the alleged link between MKCL and NCP.

The top officials claimed that the decision had nothing to do with the probable change in the government. Both the varsities have over 800 affiliated colleges each, catering to more than 12 lakh students.

"We have already hired a firm to take over the online system. The MKCL is now left with only PhD entrance exam work which we would take over soon. In the backdrop of adverse reports by various bodies, we have withheld a payment of Rs3.6 crore to MKCL," said Deshpande.

Chandra said they had issued a stern warning to the firm. "We have clearly stated that if they fail to resolve the deficiencies, we will take a final call."

A top MU official pointed out, "The firm has been unofficially given the status of a state-owned company as all varsities have been asked to give their jobs to it without calling for tenders. They were also directed to invest in the firm." MKCL enjoys nearly 10% government stake. It, however, refuses to furnish any information under RTI, insisting that it is a private body – dna had reported about it earlier.

It was not immediately clear if the varsities would continue to be the investors of the firm. It is also unclear if the universities of Pune, Kolhapur and Jalgaon where company offers the services would also follow the suit. Vivek Sawant, MD of the MKCL said, "We have not received any official communication from the NU or MU."

Cong-NCP govt shielded MKCL
The Pune-based firm handles several government projects, including digitisation of all state universities and school education directorate. Incidentally, all its projects had run into controversies from Day 1.

The Congress-NCP government kept trashing down all adverse reports, terming them 'teething problem'. Rajesh Tope and DP Sawant, the ex-cabinet and junior minister of higher and technical education department are on MKCL board. However, their names were removed from the firm's website recently, probably due to model code of conduct. Scientist Anil Kakodkar, vice-chancellors of some state varsities and Marathi actress Nishigandha Wad Dewoolkar are also directors of MKCL.

A report by the Auditor General for 2012-13 had revealed that MU officials were paying all the bills submitted by MKCL despite shoddy performance. Dna had reported how gaffes committed by the firm had affected lakhs of students.