Nagpur: A senior clerk at Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University has turned a whisteblower and decided to bring all the corrupt means in the department in his true blue style. Rajesh Khanorkar, senior clerk at the university has been sitting on hunger strike for the last 3 days opposite administrative building in the university campus, with an intent to expose the corruption being practised by his senior officials. But now it appears the action boomeranged on Khanorkar as the authorities have decided to initiate enquiry against him.
Talking to Nagpur Today, Khanorkar claimed that he has been raising the issues of rampant corruption in the examination department. He claimed that he has been on the receiving end and bear the brunt during his tenure as senior clerk, since he is an RTI activist too. He alleged that his seniors misbehave with him and deal partiality towards him. He has allegedly complaint about this misbehavior and partiality to Vice-Chancellor, President, Governor, Chief Minister and Education Minister but no action has been initiated against the erring officials as yet.
Malpractice in Examination Department!
Khanorkar added alleged that there is rampant corruption prevailing in RTMNU Examination Department and that for a meager amount, these unscrupulous officials are playing with the children’s future. Unfortunately no one seems to take cognizance of this matter nor has any action been initiated to end this corruption. On the contrary, action on is initiated against anyone who points out the corrupt practices.
Documents as evidence!
Khanorkar also showed his documents to Nagpur Today, which revealed that he has not taken any leave in the past 5 years. According to the rules, he was promoted on May 22, 2015, but he has not been paid the salary that he should get for the promoted post as yet. He also alleged that he is often threatened of transfer.
Hunger strike till justice is done
Khanorkar who was making a string of allegation against RTMNU officials (with names) said that there are many issues related to transfers and the promotions of the employees of RTMNU. He alleged that a Class-IV lady labourer who was appointed as Garden Labourer is now a boss. He also made some serious allegations of RTMNU officials being involved in taking out the results for monetary gains. He asserted that he wanted an Investigation to be conducted by senior officials and had informed all senior officials about this but to no avail. Eventually he resorted to hunger strike. He claimed that till such time when he gets justice he will continue his hunger strike.
Associations show support
The Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University Bahujan Karmachari Sanghatan and Adivasi Krantikari Sanghatan have lent their support to Rajesh Kanorkar’s agitation.
Varsity refutes allegations
On the other hand, the Varsity has an entirely different opinion about the agitation. The administration has entirely denied all allegations levelled against them and have called it baseless allegations. To add to that Registrar of Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University Puran Meshram said that the behavior of Rajesh Kanorkar is against of Maharashtra Public Service Rules and Regulations. The Registrar said that Rajesh had taken leave saying he has some urgent important work and had gone on leave from June 15, 2016 but had started the agitation from Friday the June 17, 2016.
According to Registrar Meshram, Rajesh had gone to the Finance Department to find out about his salary arrears. Rajesh had allegedly misbehaved with an employee called Ambulkar and other employees and had threatened them. Registrar claimed that he has received a written complaint from the employees of Finance Department. He said that his behavior is illegal and soon an Internal Probe Committee is to be constituted to investigate into the behavior of Rajesh.
The Registrar while defending the authorities of RTMNU said that Rajesh has been continuously making false and baseless allegations against senior officials of RTMNU, but has not produced any documentary evidence which he allegedly has.
Registrar Meshram added that they are contemplating making a police complaint against Rajesh for his misbehavior with other employees of Finance Department. Meshram claimed that for the last one year the promotion orders have not been issued then on what basis is Rajesh claimed enhanced salary.
The Varsity authorities take many decisions for the development and improvement of the varsity. Meshram claimed that work is one to identify and weed out many employees who make false and baseless allegations against Class III and Class IV and blackmailing them.
Meshram added that Rajesh has been issued Notices on July 16, 2015, November 26, 2015, January 8, 2016, March 10, 2016 and April 20, 2016. A Departmental Enquiry has been initiated against such behaviour of Rajesh under Section 17 (6) of Maharashtra Universities Act.
Rajesh Kanorkar and the Varsity authorities are piling blame against each other and are justifying themselves. Who is right and who is at fault remains to be seen? However, RTMNU is once again shrouded in controversy.
