MUMBAI: Six months after enactment of the Maharashtra State Skills University Act, the skill development department is yet to set up the university due to red-tapism and lack of political will, while a private organization, granted permission on July 16, 2021, was set up on Wednesday.
Skill development minister Nawab Malik admitted a delay but said efforts will be made to ensure the new university is set up within a time-bound period. “We working on a war-footing to set up the university in Mumbai as early as possible. We will ensure the search committee for appointment of a vice-chancellor and registrar holds its first meeting as early as possible and submit its report to the department. A time-bound action plan has been drafted,’’ Malik told TOI.
After both houses of the state legislature passed a bill, the act for setting up the Maharashtra State Skills University came into existence on April 14. Subsequently, a six-member search committee headed by skill development principal secretary Manish Varma was set up, an advertisement inviting applications for the post of VC and registrar were invited on May 14, while the last date was May 24. A record 60 persons, including additional chief secretary Sujata Saunik, former vice-chancellor Devanand Shinde, principal Nilesh Patil and Jalna ITI principal Bharat Jinturkar were among the applicants, while for registrar’s post, joint secretary Suvarna Kharat and Nashik engineering collector professor G D Mohod were among the 45 applicants.
While the deadline for submission of applications ended on May 24, the search committee is yet to shortlist nominees for VC and registrar’s post.
“My attention has been drawn to the prolonged delay in appointment of VC and registrar. I will seek information from the department, we will complete the entire exercise in a time-bound period. Our effort will be to start operations of the university as early as possible,’’ Malik said.
He said the government’s aim was to create skilled and employable youth, to encourage job creation and to promote delivery of quality skills education, startups, incubation, employability, training, in an integrated manner with industry partnership.
