Pune: The exam department of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) has confidential and sensitive data of more than one lakh students and important files related to the exams, but the entire department does not have a single Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) camera to keep a watch on the movement of visitors.
The exam department is visited by hundreds of students and representatives of colleges every day. The department also witnesses chaos on several accounts. Recently, a Garware college student was allegedly beaten up by the security staff of the Pune University.
This incident could have been prevented if CCTV cameras were installed in the department, as the staffers would have been wary of their act being caught in the CCTV footage.
The student had reportedly tried to video record his conversation with SPPU Exam Board Director Dr Mahesh Kakade when he was whisked away by the security personnel and later manhandled.
The exam department is involved in the process of conducting exams for more than seven lakh students of one thousand colleges. The department handles work like question paper setting, issuing instructions to colleges, addressing grievances of students related to the results, revaluation and distribution of degree certificates, etc.
There are more than 100 employees and officers working in the exam department. Several students and visitors linger or wait outside the department till the concerned official or employee gets free to attend them.
When asked about the issue, Dr Kakade said, “We have written a letter to the Pune University administration to install CCTV cameras in the department and the building.”