MUMBAI, Jan 27: The meeting of representatives of the Association of Non-Government Colleges (ANGC), with Mumbai University vice-chancellor Dr Snehlata Deshmukh today ended in a stalemate when the latter staged a walkout in the middle of discussions. Sources said that half way through the meeting, when principals of various city colleges pressed for a debate on the internal assessment system and demanded the disclosure of accounts pertaining to the two mega-inter collegite events - Kshitij and Ashwamedha - held last year, an enraged Dr Deshmukh walked out, leaving a surprised pro-vice-chancellor, Dr Naresh Chandra to thrash out the remaining items on the agenda.However, when the principals demanded her presence, even Dr Chandra opted to leave. ANGC vice-president and Bhavans College principal at Andheri, D B Kadam, said, "Apparently the University is not happy with us as we boycotted the recent meeting organised by the VC. This is the first time that such a thing has happened, and it speaks volumes of the highhanded attitude and lack of transparency in the varsity functioning."However, Dr Deshmukh maintained that she had another appointment at 5.30 pm, and had already informed the principals that she will leave then. "The rest of the meeting was to be conducted by Dr Chandra. However, in any case, the meeting began at 4.00 pm, and one-and-a-half hours is enough to be given to principals," she said.Prior to the meeting, the ANGC president and Lala Lajpatrai College principal M G Shirahatti at Haji Ali told Express Newsline that owing to the degree students negative response towards the internal assessment system and other examination related problems, the Principals Forum was forced to have a dialogue with the vice-chancellor.
