The University of Pune (UoP) vice-chancellor Narendra Jadhav on Thursday said he had already registered his protest officially with former state higher and technical education minister Dilip Walse-Patil on the bifurcation of the university. "The minister had then clarified that the proposal would not be considered," claimed Jadhav.

The state government has reportedly given green signal to the bifurcation of four state universities in the state including the UoP to minimise the burden of large number of colleges affiliated to them. The experts are divided on the proposal and those opposing it argue that bifurcation would not do any difference.

Clarifying his stand on the issue at a press conference Jadhav said the efficiency doesn't depend on the size of the institution. "With the help of technology, the UoP can manage more than 1000 colleges. We are actually putting efforts to develop connectivity between the colleges through the triple connectivity project. It will ease the pressure on administration," he said.

Meanwhile, on the issue of the hunger strike of MPhil students demanding stipend for all the MPhil students, Jadhav said the decision would be taken in the meeting of management council to be held on February 25. The students are demanding that every student pursuing MPhil should get stipend. The university on the other hand has decided to give stipend to only four top students in each department.

"The decision was taken in the management council meeting and going by rulebook it has to be brought before the management council again to reconsider it. I have told this to the students but they are in no mood to listen." Jadhav said. The students however have continued their hunger strike.

Will not cut old trees, assures Jadhav