Shillong, Dec 1: The two-member inquiry committee constituted by Union Ministry of Education to probe into allegations of mismanagement and administrative failures in North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) has been given an extension of 15 days to submit its report.
Initially, the committee was supposed to submit its report on November 29.
“The competent authority has granted the extension of 15 days to conclude the findings and finalise the report,” stated an official letter to chairman of the committee Prof DP Singh, who was former Chairman of UGC.
The committee was constituted on November 14 following agitations crippling the university over allegations against the vice-chancellor and other authorities.
Students led by NEHU Students’ Union (NEHUSU) and Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) NEHU Unit staged hunger strike for nearly three weeks and still adamant on their demand for removal of the VC, registrar and deputy registrar of the university.
On November 25, the two-member committee gave a patient hearing to all stakeholders of NEHU including students, teachers and non-teaching staff.
All the agitating associations, however, made it clear that irrespective of the outcome of the probe, the incumbent VC’s return to the university is “untenable and unacceptable” to them.
In its order, the Ministry had then 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 had said allegations that have been brought to the attention of the Ministry include declining university ranking, controversial appointments, infrastructural neglect and non-responsiveness of the vice chancellor.
The significant drop in the university’s ranking in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) has been attributed to alleged administrative negligence.
The ministry also 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.
