NEHU VC takes 13 days leave after MoE’s order for inquiry into mismanagement and administrative failures
The incumbent vice chancellor of the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) Prof PS Shukla on Friday took a 13-day leave from the university citing unavoidable circumstances.
His decision came a day after the Ministry of Education had ordered an inquiry into the alleged mismanagement and administrative failures within the University.
In a letter to the Registrar, Prof Shukla said, “Due to some unavoidable circumstances, I am leaving the campus on earned leave (EL) with effect from today (November 15, 2024) with prefix and suffix.
The leave period will be November 17 to 29. This can be extended further if required. During my absence, the senior most professor of the university (Prof N Saha or others) shall look after the charge/duties of the Vice Chancellor.”
The university has been under total lockdown in view of the ongoing indefinite hunger strike protest led by the North Eastern Hill University Students’ Union (NEHUSU) and backed by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU – NEHU Unit) for the past 11 days demanding the immediate removal of the VC for his failure to terminate the registrar and deputy registrar.
Earlier today, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma also met the agitating students. “A lot of discussions are happening (on the issue). We will talk later,” Sangma told reporters when sought for his comment on the prevailing situation in the premiere institute of the region.
In its order issued on Thursday, the Ministry of Education had stated, “In view of the gravity of the above issues, a two-member committee is hereby constituted to conduct a thorough inquiry into the matter. The committee shall consist of the following members – Prof DP Singh, former Chairman of UGC as chairman of the committee and Prof Dilip Chandra Nath, former vice-chancellor of Assam University.”
The committee has been asked to inquire into these allegations and submit its report within a period of 15 days from the date of issuance of this order, along with necessary recommendations for corrective actions.
The Ministry had said, “In light of serious concerns raised by the students, students’ associations, and reports in the media, the Ministry of Education has decided to constitute a committee to inquire into the alleged mismanagement and administrative failures within North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong.”
It said that the following allegations have been brought to the attention of the Ministry and they include declining university ranking, controversial appointments, infrastructural neglect and non-responsiveness of the vice chancellor.
It has been alleged that a significant drop in the university’s ranking in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), which is attributed to alleged administrative negligence.
The ministry had noted the allegations of irregular appointments including the appointments of the Registrar and the Deputy Registrar, which are claimed to have contributed to the university’s inefficiency and reports of poor maintenance and neglect of basic amenities and infrastructure, adversely affecting the academic environment and student welfare. It said that there have been multiple complaints and memoranda from student bodies, including demands for essential reforms, have reportedly been ignored by the vice-chancellor.
Meanwhile, the NEHU Non-Teaching Staff Association (NEHUNSA) had also launched a non-cooperation movement against the incumbent vice chancellor on the “advice of the agitating students”.
Earlier on Wednesday, the agitating students have outrightly rejected the decision of the vice chancellor to appoint pro-vice chancellors for Shillong and Tura campus.
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