City colleges are being forced to appoint younger and inexperienced supervisors during vacations. This has become a perennial problem since major exams are scheduled by the University of Mumbai during vacations.

``We have repeatedly apprised the university how difficult it is to get a supervisor during vacation time. The problem gets acute specially in examinations like TYBCom which has large number of candidates,'' said president of the Association of Non-Government Colleges, M G Shirahatti of Lala Lajpatrai College at Haji Ali.

Principal D B Kadam of Bhavan's College, Andheri said, ``The honorarium paid to a supervisor is a paltry Rs 30. Considering the expenses on commuting and food, the amount isnot an incentive enough for the three hours examination time. And the college cannot force the staff to attend during vacations.''

Kadam felt that the honorarium should be increased to Rs 50-75 and paid immediately after the papers are over rather than make them queue up after six months. In nearly a decade the honorarium was increased by about Rs 15.For supervisory duty, colleges have to appoint degree college teachers. Alternatively, non-teaching staff (class III scale) or as a last resort the colleges fall back on unemployed graduates.

When contacted, the Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Mumbai, Dr Naresh Chandra maintained that the university is aware of the problem. ``We will take up the issue shortly,'' he stated.