Mumbai: The Mumbai University Officers Welfare Association (MUNOWA) has strongly objected to the recent transfer orders issued by the university, alleging a lack of transparency and procedural clarity in the process.
In a letter addressed to the vice-chancellor, the association has demanded an immediate halt to all ongoing transfers and called for the implementation of a clear and transparent government transfer policy to ensure fairness in administrative practices.
In its letter, MUNOWA expressed deep concern regarding the manner in which transfer orders were being executed without any discussion with the officers concerned or any clear explanation provided for the decisions.
The association said, “The sudden transfers of experienced officers without prior consultation or valid reasoning is an arbitrary practice that creates a climate of uncertainty and insecurity among the staff. We strongly oppose this approach and demand that all transfers be put on hold until a clear transfer policy is established.”
MUNOWA further highlighted that despite several vacant positions remaining unfilled in various departments, the university administration had continued to transfer experienced officers without addressing the staff shortages.
“There are several vacant positions in important departments, but instead of filling them, the administration is arbitrarily moving officers from one department to another without understanding the operational impact. This is highly unjust and detrimental to the university’s functioning,” the association said.
“If the university is genuinely concerned about its functioning, it should first focus on filling vacant positions instead of causing disruption through unjust transfers,” it added.
The controversy intensified after the university issued an official transfer order on March 6, transferring four senior officers across various departments. According to the order, Deepak G. Barsag, deputy registrar of the college coordination and development department, Fort, was transferred to the administration and record-keeping department at Fort.
Sujata S. Nawal, who previously served as deputy registrar in the administration department at Fort, was reassigned to the admissions, name correction, eligibility, and migration department at Vidyanagari campus.
Similarly, Hemant S. Chaudhary, deputy registrar of the examination and evaluation board at Vidyanagari, was transferred to the college coordination and development department, Fort.
Another officer, Vikas S. Indre, who held the post of deputy registrar (statutory) in the record-keeping department at Fort, was transferred to the quality and accreditation department under the examination and evaluation board at Vidyanagari.
MUNOWA argued that these transfers were carried out without considering the work profiles and experience of the transferred officers, creating operational challenges for both the departments and the employees.
“We fail to understand the logic behind transferring officers who have developed domain-specific expertise in their respective departments. Such arbitrary transfers without any formal policy are detrimental to the university’s functioning,” MUNOWA asserted.
The association also referred to the Maharashtra Civil Services Rules, 1981, which clearly outline the procedures for routine transfers, educational/administrative transfers, and transfers under special circumstances.
“The university administration is obliged to follow the Maharashtra Civil Services Rules, which offer clear guidelines regarding transfers. Ignoring these norms undermines the principles of transparency and fairness,” the letter stated.
Adding to the tension, a recent circular issued by the university registrar Dr. Prasad Karande on February 14 had warned employees against exerting direct or indirect pressure to modify or cancel transfer orders. The circular explicitly stated that no employee or officer should bring organisation office-bearers or influential members to request cancellation of transfers.
It also warned that any external pressure, including phone calls from influential sources, would not be entertained. The circular stated that any employee found violating these directives would face disciplinary action.
In response, MUNOWA maintained that the core issue lay in the absence of a clear transfer policy, which led to perceived unfair transfers. “Had there been a transparent policy, such issues would not have arisen, and officers would not feel the need to approach external parties,” the letter noted.
The association urged the university to revoke all transfer orders issued without clear guidelines and to immediately introduce a formal transfer policy.
MUNOWA further warned that if their demands were not addressed, they would be compelled to escalate their objections or seek legal intervention to safeguard the interests of university staff. The university is yet to respond to the concerns raised by the association.
