A high-level committee appointed by the Nashik-based Maharashtra University of Health Sciences to inspect medical colleges in Marathwada seeking permission to start post-graduate courses has detected a well-knit racket among known private institutes which have been transferring staff and material from one college to another at a dizzying pace to present a rosy picture before unsuspecting inspectors.

It is however, not yet clear whether the committee will make a mention of its shocking observation in its report to the vice-chancellor. ``Such matters do not fall into the committee's terms of reference,'' a senior committee membertold The Indian Express. However, sources in the university say the racket is being perpetrated to increase the intake capacity and staff strength at some colleges in order to meet the criteria to start post-graduate courses.

MGM's medical college, Foster Development's Homoeopathic College, CSM Ayurvedic College and DKMM's Homoeopathic College, (all in Aurangabad) top the list in presenting `common' teachers on their staff. The 22 colleges which the committee visited include all the ayurved, homoeopathic, allopathy, unani and pharmacy colleges in the region.

Records indicate the following: Dr Anil Vare, lecturer with the Mahatma Gandhi Mission's medical college, Department of Pathology, has been shown as an honorary professor at the Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Ayurvedic college; Dr Bhaskar Musande, reader at the MGM college's Department of Surgery has been shown as a lecturer with Foster Development's homoeopathic college; Dr Rajendra Bora, lecturer with the ENT Department of MGM's medical collegepresented himself before the committee as a resident medical officer at Foster Development's college; Dr A V Khiste, registrar with MGM's medical college, Department of Anaeasthesia, is again shown to be working at Foster Development's college as well. Dr Savita Panat, registrar with the MGM college appears on the list of staff members of the OBGY Department, Foster Development's college.

One of the most surprising discoveries is the name of Dr Rashmi Borikar, who appears on the Foster Development college list. Dr Borikar is actually a full-time medical officer with the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation. Another insteresting name is that of Dr Amrut Mahajan, who has been shown as a lecturer with Foster Development's college. Dr Mahajan acutally holds a permanent job with the Government Medial College and Hospital, Aurangabad.

The Dakshin Kesari Muni Miharilalji's Homoeopathic college, not to be left behind, has chosen to pick Dr K S Kadu, of the Department of Physiotherapy, Government Medical College andHospital, Aurangabad, and has shown her as a lecturer with the institute.

Dr Avinash Yelikar, a surgeon, working in an honarary capacity with the Government Medical College and Hospital, Aurangabad, has been shown as an associate professor, MGM medical college.

Interestingly, most of the trustees of these colleges form a common pressure group at the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, and some of them like Dr Gangadhar Pathrikar, have been shortlisted by the university's Senate as possible candiates for the post of vice-chancellor. Some, like Ankush Kadam, appear on the list of the MGM as well as Foster Development's college. Dr Manvendra Kajole, senior leader of the Shetkari Sanghatana, is a trustee with Foster Development's college.