DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 27 (MExN): All is not well at the premier North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong set up in 1973 by an Act (24 of 1973) of Parliament, Government of India as a Central autonomous academic institution.
The North-Eastern Hill University Teachers’ Association (NEHUTA) on Friday lamented that the story of the prestigious NEHU is no longer as promising as it seemed in its formative years due negligence on part of the Government of India. It has alleged of a number of irregularities and illegalities that is happening in the University-mostly due to “inaction on the part of the government to allow the university to run by a senior-most professor as the officiating Vice Chancellor for almost three years followed by an irresponsible decision to appoint an inefficient and autocratic Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof. S K Srivastava have led to steep downfall of the university in almost all measures.”
In a memorandum submitted to the Chairperson, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Subordinate Legislations, Parliament of India, New Delhi, a copy of which was made available to the media, Dr. X. P. Mao, president and Prof. G. Bez, officiating general secretary, NEHUTA highlighted the anomalies and irregularities plaguing the University.
Academic failures
The Association alleged that the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) for promotion of teachers was last held during March-May, 2013. Successive administrations including the incumbent have hardly any concern about promotion of teachers. The administration is trying to stop the promotion of teachers by retrospectively implementing the UGC regulations.
As a result, large scale resentment among the teachers are growing up which are indirectly harming the growth in academics and research, it said. On new appointments, despite taking charge more than two years back, the VC is yet to take any step for filling up of the vacant positions in various departments, the Association alleged adding that many departments are running with less than 50% of the faculty strength.
Infrastructure
Most of the academic building are in deplorable state and risk to life. There is hardly any effort from the administration to find practical solution for seepage in 90% buildings in the university. Short term renovations having more scope to siphon out money are dear to the administration, the Association has alleged.
It also pointed out that more than 50% students are forced to stay outside the campus due to lack of enough hostel seats. Shillong, being a hill station, is a costly place to line in. As a result, most of the students from economically backward families suffer acute monetary crisis leading to poor results in exams.
Financial irregularities
There are numerous instances of financial irregularities by the current dispensation with scant regards to GFRs and directives from the MHRD, Government of India, the Association has also stated. It further revealed that one of the senior-most faculties and member of the executive council, NEHU has already submitted a memorandum to the Office of the President of India, Prime Minister of India, Leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha, Central Vigilance Commission, and The Secretary, Higher Education, Government of India to outline the irregularities by the incumbent VC by flouting all the constitutional provisions of NEHU Act 1973.
The Association also revealed anomalies and irregularities on the construction works at Tura Campus, establishment of New Campus at Jowai and complete disregard to statutory provisions of the NEHU act 1973 among other issues.
Because of undemocratic and unconstitutional practices adopted by the university administration, many stakeholders are taking resort to the court of law, the Association pointed out while adding that “Such statutory violations by the autocratic VC has led to heavy financial losses to the exchequer resulting irreparable loss of overall development of the university.”
In this connection, the Association said it has requested the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Subordinate Legislations to intervene on the state of affairs of the university and institute a parliamentary committee to look into the irregularities taking place in recent years. Accordingly, the chairperson has promised to ask the VC, NEHU and report the matter to the MHRD, New Delhi for the necessary action, the Association stated.
