Maha govt mulling ban on mobiles in colleges, varsity campus

Maharashtra Government has sought views of principals and teachers on a proposal seeking ban on using camera mobile phones in colleges and university campuses across the state to prevent "cyber crimes".
The joint director of higher education had sought views of college heads and teachers on this proposal in a letter sent in May.
The proposal also involves mandatory installation of jammers and decoders in campuses of educational institutions, Mumbai University sources said.
The joint director sent the letter following a presentation by NCP activist Ashok Lad from Aurangabad, to Minister for Higher and Technical Education Rajesh Tope, sources said.

At present, the proposal is only in the initial stage and no final decision has been taken, the sources said, adding that the proposal mooted by the department needs to be approved by academicians and heads of institutions.
Lad had written to Tope, expressing concern over "cyber crimes" committed through phone cameras, sources said.

Following the joint director's letter, Mumbai University (MU) issued a circular to affiliated colleges on June 25 seeking their opinion, they said, adding that the University will submit its report based on their response.
The MU has received the letter from the department and issued a circular to all affiliated colleges seeking opinion on installing mobile phone jammers but has not set a deadline to gather the data.

Lad claimed that some students take pictures and participate in "vulgar activities" using cellphones in classrooms and on campus.