Displeasure expressed by Senate members of Savitribai Phule Pune University

The Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) Senate, the highest authority, plays a crucial role in approving the university’s budget. Recently, a Senate meeting was called on Friday, March 23 to review the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, 2024-25.

However, many Senate members expressed dissatisfaction as they received the hefty 277-page budget document just a day before the meeting. This left them with insufficient time to thoroughly review its contents before the scheduled approval on Saturday.

Traditionally, Senate members submit conspiracy notices approximately 8 days before the budget presentation, a practice aimed at fostering transparency and informed decision-making. Consequently, several SPPU Senate members voiced their discontent with the university’s operational procedures.

Although changes to the budget can be proposed during the university authority board discussion, the tight timeline makes it practically impossible for members to adequately study the extensive document and participate meaningfully in the meeting.

Vijay Khare, the in-charge registrar at SPPU, disclosed that he, too, did not receive a hard copy of the budget until Thursday, further exacerbating the time constraints for review and analysis. Khare clarified that, according to revised regulations, the university dispatches all meeting-related information to members promptly, providing them with a two-day window to offer their recommendations.

Therefore, timely access to the budget document is paramount for Senate members to deliberate effectively and make well-informed decisions during meetings. The dissatisfaction expressed by several members reveals the importance of revisiting and refining the university’s processes to ensure transparency and accountability in budgetary matters.