Inquiry committee to submit report with recommendations within 15 days
Shillong, Nov 14: The Centre has finally decided to intervene to resolve the ongoing crisis in North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) and formed a committee to inquire into the various allegations of administrative mismanagement in the central university. The committee has been asked to submit a report along with recommendations within 15 days.
It was after multiple representations by various organisations to the Union Education Ministry and the ongoing hunger strike by students entering 10 days demanding resignation of the vice-chancellor, and termination of the registrar and the deputy registrar.
The agitation initially began to demand termination of the two officials alleging illegalities in their appointment, but the protesters later scaled up the demand for resignation of the VC due to his alleged adamant attitude in resolving the stalemate.
In response to the agitation led by NEHU Students’ Union (NEHUSU) and Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) NEHU Unit, the Ministry of Education constituted a two-member committee to conduct a thorough inquiry into the allegations.
Prof DP Singh, former chairman of University Grants Commission (UGC), will act as the chairman of the committee with Prof Dilip Chandra Nath, former vice-chancellor of Assam University, being the other member.
The committee will probe the allegations of irregular appointments including the appointment of the registrar and the deputy registrar, which are claimed to have contributed to the university’s inefficiency.
It will also probe the university’s declining rankings, which was visible in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), allegedly due to administrative negligence.
Reports of poor maintenance and neglect of basic amenities and infrastructure, adversely affecting the academic environment and student welfare, will be inquired by the committee.
The vice-chancellor’s alleged apathy to multiple complaints and memoranda from student bodies, including demands for essential reforms will also be under the radar of the inquiry committee.
The Ministry has asked NEHU’s administration to provide full cooperation to the committee, including any necessary documentation and assistance required for the inquiry.
