In a bid to promote a safer and a more efficient educational environment, the government of Maharashtra has decided to introduce Lokpal in the universities – with an exception to agricultural universities. Ombudsmen will also be appointed for colleges and educational institutes in the state, making Maharashtra the first state to take such a step, according to Education Minister Vinod Tawde.
A statement was issued by the Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Department, which stated that Lokpal would be appointed at the university level, while Grievance Redressal Cells (GRC) will be established at the institutional level. Any issue that remains unresolved at the GRC would then be transferred to the Lokpal office at the university level.
“If a student lodges a complaint, the cell would take cognizance. If the decision of the cell is not accepted by the concerned student, the matter would be referred to the university Grievance Redressal Cell (UGRC). If the students are not satisfied with UGRC, they can approach the Lokpal,” said Tawde.
An institutional grievance redressal cell (IGRC) would also run in institutes with various colleges under them. The facility would cater to 15 types of student grievances related to admissions, misrepresentation, fees, refunds, etc.
While the GRC will constitute of the senior faculty members and the principal of the college, a Vice Chancellor or retired judge would be appointed as the Lokpal of the varsities.
According to Tawde, all the appointments would be made and completed within the next few months, and the GRC mechanism would come into practice by June – the beginning of the next academic session.
The decision for the redressal mechanism was taken following several complaints being lodged regarding college admissions, scholarships, reservation rules, said Tawde.
The pronouncement comes as a relief to students who have been eagerly waiting for a such a system, and has also prompted them to highlight key issues which the redressal cells may look into, in order to make the mechanism more effective.
Till what level will it be effective remains to be seen. A variety of redressal cells promising student welfare have popped up in the last few years, but hardly any of them function properly and actively. A Lokpal is yet to be appointed at the national level, and it’s been years since the bill was passed.
Furthermore, the GRC is not without its flaws and loopholes. Seeing as the mechanism works as a watchdog and has the power to question and investigate authorities, it is not very efficient if such a body is run by the authorities itself; a more independent or elected body would have made more sense. Nevertheless, it’s still a step in the right direction and must be adopted by other states.