Shillong, Nov 12: The ongoing protests in North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) has gained steam with the NEHU Non-teaching Staff Association (NEHUNSA) extending full support to the ongoing indefinite hunger strike by the students.
“NEHUNSA does not want to see that the university should be a training ground for the appointed officers. On the other hand, we expect that officers holding high posts should be guiding the staff in accordance with the Central rules passed by GoI,” said Dr WR Synrem, president of NEHUNSA following an emergency meeting of the association here on Monday.
He also alleged that since joining of the current VC, all work in the university had been disturbed due to lack of administrative and academic knowledge.
“As non-teaching employees who are directly involved in administrative duties are greatly frustrated due to the delay in the movement of files, the outcome of which is a delay in processing the regular works in the University,” the NEHUNSA said.
Referring to interview for statutory post(s) conducted in Guwahati with the VC citing “urgent need to fill up the positions”, the controller of examination – one of the posts – was allowed to join six months after issuing the offer of appointment, the NEHUNSA alleged.
The association also alleged that the recently appointed deputy registrar has “no knowledge of correct English” although NEHU’s medium of instruction being English.
Further, the association accused the VC of not taking any action to repair the current dilapidated campus road, which was never in such state before.
Even the staff quarters were never maintained and the occupants had to shell out from their own pockets for any minor or major repair, it stated, adding that street lights too were not functioning.
“Recently, as per the RTI reply received, it clearly states that Compassionate Appointment in Government of India offices has never been discontinued; however, the University is yet to notify the same,” it stated.
“Medical advance, which needs to be granted within 10 (ten) days as GoI rules @ 90% of the estimated expenditure was delayed for one of the unfortunate employees who felt seriously ill.
This delay was for more than a month and has brought in hardship and difficulties for the employee as well as his family members. This shows the ignorance of the rules laid down for the purpose,” according to NEHUNSA.
