Mumbai: The state legislative council on Tuesday passed the Public Universities (fourth amendment) Bill, 2026 for the appointment of an ombudsman to resolve grievances and to replace the grievance committee.
Opposition members asked if universities would be brought under the purview of the Lokpal as the Bill mentioned the appointment of Lokpal. Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil clarified that the vice-chancellor can recommend to the department a panel of three retired judges for the post of an ombudsman to be appointed for three years or till he attains the age of 70 to resolve grievances.
Congress MLC Abhijit Vanzari and Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Anil Parab demanded the word ‘Lokpal’ be replaced.
