In an example of debatable use of its power in academic matters, the State Government has permitted a sizeable number of colleges, which were rejected by the university for not conforming to the set criteria earlier. Of these, one has been proposed by an educational society run by Health Minister Daulatrao Aher in Nashik and another by former minister Shashikant Sutar in Pune. While entire procedure followed by the State and the university to grant permission is not above board, whether the new colleges have been allowed in conformation with the development plan of the university two years ago is not clear, sources say.

The university had prepared the development plan prescribing the location of institutions of higher learning in a way to ensure equitable distribution of facilities for higher education within its jurisdiction. While the authoritiesare helpless over the whole issue, teachers' unions are ready to launch a frontal attack on the administration for caving in to the ``inappropriate interference'' in academic matters.

Varsity senate member S M Bhave puts it this way: ``According the Maharashtra Universities Act 1994, the State may grant permission to such institution as it may consider right and proper in its absolute discretion, out of the applications recommended by the university. However, in exceptional cases and for reasons to be recorded in writing, any application that is not recommended by the university may be approved by the State Government for starting a new college or an institution of higher learning.The Act states clearly that no application shall be entertained directly by the State Government for the grant of permission for opening a new college or institution of higher learning.

Here lies the hub of the whole debate, says Bhave.

``In any case it is morally binding on the State Government to exercise its power withdiscretion and let the academic decisions rest with the university which has not happened in this case,'' he added.

Expressing serious concern over the episode, the Pune University Teachers' Association has decided to come out with a `white paper' on the whole issue before the senate meeting on October 15.

``In context of permission granted to new colleges, we want to initiate a debate on the propriety and role of the university and the academic council in the light of the interference from the State Government,'' said Professor Harish Desai, president PUTA.