Shillong, May 10: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has confirmed that the demand for the removal of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) Vice Chancellor, Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla, has been forwarded to the appropriate department for necessary action.
Cabinet Minister and senior BJP leader, A.L. Hek, stated on Friday, “I had written a letter on April 3 regarding the demand for the removal of the present Vice Chancellor and the appointment of a new VC. The response has come today, and it is informed that the matter has been sent to the concerned department for appropriate action.”
He also pointed out that the central government had earlier constituted a committee to address the grievances of both students and faculty members. “Any office or department has a committee to look after the nitty-gritty, and decisions cannot be taken abruptly,” Hek said, underlining the procedural nature of such matters.
Addressing the criticism that the Centre has ignored the plight of the NEHU community, Hek said, “If they would have taken it lightly, they would not have replied to my letter and request also.”
In response to growing concerns from students and recent media reports, the Ministry of Education had, in November last year, announced the formation of a committee to investigate allegations of mismanagement and administrative failures at NEHU, Shillong. The committee was expected to submit its report within 15 days, including recommendations for corrective action. However, the final decision on the matter is still awaited.
