PUNE: Economist Ajit Ranade resigned as vice-chancellor of Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (GIPE), deemed to be university, on October 29.
Ranade’s letter to the university’s chancellor Sanjeev Sanyal cited “personal reasons” for his resignation which came two weeks after his termination order as vice-chancellor was withdrawn by Sanyal.
It stated, “This letter of resignation does not in any way indicate my acceptance of any defect of ineligibility in my appointment as vice-chancellor in October 2021.”
Last year, a former GIPE staffer complained to UGC that Ranade’s appointment as VC violated the eligibility rules for deemed to be universities which require a candidate to have at least 10 years of teaching experience.
While Ranande refused to comment on his resignation, M B Deshmukh, a member of Servants of India Society (SIS) which runs GIPE, told TOI, “The board meeting of the society on November 8 will discuss this matter. We will decide who should be given temporary charge.”
Meanwhile, president of SIS Damodar Sahoo, told TOI that the process for the appointment of a vice-chancellor was a long one and due guidelines would be followed. “We will have to form a committee, publish an advertisement to invite applications, followed by shortlisting of candidates and interviews. It’s a long process, so immediate appointment is not possible, but at the board meeting, the decision on a temporary appointment will be made.”
In June, UGC wrote to then GIPE chancellor Rajiv Kumar seeking an action-taken report on the allegations of irregularities in Ranade’s appointment to the VC’s post. Kumar then served a show-cause notice to Ranade.
Bibek Debroy, who took over from Kumar as GIPE chancellor, then set up a three-member fact-finding committee. The panel’s report formed the basis for Debroy to issue an order on September 14 removing Ranade from the VC’s post ‘with immediate effect’.
However, on Ranade’s request, Debroy allowed him to continue as VC till September 21 to complete some formalities. Ranade then moved the HC challenging his removal and sought his reinstatement. On Sept 18, the HC directed that the removal order should not be given effect till the next hearing as Ranade must get an opportunity to canvas his case before a regular bench.
On Sept 26, Debroy resigned as chancellor citing moral grounds. He wrote to UGC chairman Jagadesh Kumar stating that GIPE stands in ‘direct violation’ of the commission’s stipulations on deemed to be universities on Ranade’s continuation as its vice-chancellor.