MUMBAI, July 25: Hectic lobbying is on from various academic quarters for the post of the registrar at Mumbai University, which will become vacant by the end of this month.

The Maharashtra Underprivileged Teachers' Association (MUPTA), along with other educationists, however, feel that gross injustice will be done to the senior most deputy registrar of Mumbai University, A M Murudkar, if he is not promoted to the new post.

In a recent letter addressed to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Manohar Joshi, MUPTA head, B G Pagare has urged that Murudkar, who also happens to be a war hero of the 1971 Indo-Pak War, should be given the important chair as he is the seniormost and the best qualified for the job. Ever since the present registrar, Jairam Chavan, decided to seek voluntary retirement and relinquish charge on July 31, the campus has been abuzz with talks of the new incumbent. Murudkar, though, was till recently considered to be a frontrunner for the post as the vice-chancellor, Snehlata Deshmukh, had acknowledged the deputy registrar's seniority. In an official memorandum dated June 18, the Deshmukh had stated that Chavan should hand over the charge of the post of Registrar to Murudkar on July 31. However, very soon the VC withdrew this memorandum and issued a fresh one which did not mention Murudkar's name.

When contacted, Deshmukh told Express Newsline: "Earlier, the seniormost person used to be automatically appointed as the registrar; however, according to the new 1994 Act, the appointment is to be made through proper selection of the candidates, which is why I had to issue a fresh memorandum as per the state government's notice.'' She further informed that the Management Council will be meeting on July 28 to make the selection. However, the vice-chancellor refused to divulge the names of the likely candidates for the post.

Meanwhile, a few university senate members have also decided to recommend Murudkar's name to the vice-chancellor. ``We are soon going to intimate the VC that Murudkar is not only the seniormost, but also the most qualified person for the job,'' said Senator Amarjit Singh Manhas.

Murudkar, however, did not wish to comment on the issue. ``I have already made a representation to the vice-chancellor,'' is all he said. Before joining the Mumbai University in 1990, he served in the Indian Air Force for over 15 years as combatant officer and carried out duties in general administration.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.