A retired officer in the State Eligibility Test (SET) department of the University of Pune has alleged that there were a few more cases of irregularities in recruitment of non-teaching staff in the university besides what had come to the fore in February 2009. Acting vice-chancellor Arun Adsool said he would appoint a committee as soon as the varsity gets some more details of the whole issue. The officer has written a letter to the acting v-c alleging that the marks of some candidates were purposely increased while doing data entry to the computer to make them eligible for the various posts. The officer has demanded stern action on the errant officers.

“After it found irregularities in the recruitment procedure of non-teaching staff in February 2009 the varsity had assured that it would assess the previous cases too. However, the varsity has not been taking cognisance of irregularities happened in 2007-08,” says the letter.

The letter says, “I have come across a case of December 2007 in which marks of six candidates marks have been increased during data entry. Of these six candidates, two candidates had not even appeared for the exam.”

The officer has also provided a chart that shows the actual marks of candidates and marks declared on the website. The officer in his letter has also claimed that of these six, three candidates have been working in various varsity departments on probation period.

When contacted, Adsool said he had received the letter. “The letter however has not provided detailed information. When I tried to get in contact with the sender, it was revealed that it was faxed to me from a public telephone booth. Even after that I have started inquiry in the case and if we find something I will appoint an enquiry committee,” he said.