The latest report of the state’s auditor, CAG accessed under the Right to Information Act (RTI) reveals a shocking state of affair in the colleges of Mumbai Universities. It states that two out of three colleges of Mumbai University are unfit to function. Of the 741 colleges that are affiliated to Mumbai University, 564 do not have permanent affiliation, indicating the presence of some deficiency in colleges older than six years.
Affiliation is done on the basis of factors like infrastructure, teachers, library and administration. But Mumbai University seems to have turned a blind eye towards colleges which lack even basic amenities.
The CAG also points out that the inspection report is usually vague, not quantifiable against norms. For example, the Local Inquiry Council (LIC) for Thadomal Shahani Engineering College for 2008-09 noted a shortfall in area, tutorial rooms, faculty, inadequate library, laboratory, canteen space and classroom in old building and the 11th floor of the same building is being used for another college. In another instance, one college is affiliated even before an inspection was done. The report also points out that delays were noticed in constituting the LIC.
