Manipur University (Image Courtesy: http://www.manipuruniv.ac.in/)
Newmai News Network
Imphal | October 11
Even as there is no let up to the Manipur University impasse, the High Court of Manipur has intervened and appointed former chief secretary of Manipur, Jarnail Singh as “Administrator” who is fully empowered to discharge the functions of the Vice-Chancellor as provided under the Manipur University Act, 2005 and “such other relevant statues.”
The primary duty and responsibility of the Administrator is to “bring normalcy in Manipur University,” the court’s order said.
“We have given our anxious thought and consideration over the matter and volatile and often violent situation continuing in Manipur University and considering the best interest of the students and present very disturbing situation prevailing, we have reluctantly opted to intervene in the matter by issuing the following directions,” it added.
Singh, IAS (retd), and former Chief Secretary of Manipur, who had also served as Joint Secretary to the Office of the Prime Minister, “who has vast experience of administration in the State of Manipur and was awarded the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration for the year 2007-08, as the Administrator”, the order of the court further said.
He is “fully authorised to choose and appoint any competent person as in charge Registrar of the University and he will be at liberty to appoint any other person (s) to aid, assist and advise him in discharge of the functions of the Vice Chancellor,” it added.
He is also fully empowered to pass any such order(s) and/or to review and revoke any such order(s) and to do such act(s) as he may deem fit for bringing normalcy to the University and defuse the volatile situation by engaging in constant dialogue and interactions with all the stakeholders, so long it is not contrary to any order of the Court, according to the court order.
It further stated that he may also seek the assistance of the State Government and Union Respondent/Central Government in this regard, “who shall provide such assistance as may be necessary and requisitioned.”
In the meantime, the court suspended the appointment of K Yugindro Singh as the Pro-Vice Chancellor by VC Prof Adya Prasad Pandey on September 11, besides the appointment of Prof W Vishwanath Singh to look after the office of the Vice Chancellor.
The appointments of Shyamkesho Singh as Registrar in charge and Sh. Dorendrajit Singh as Registrar in charge were also suspended
“The Visitor of the University/Union Respondent will ensure that the suspension of Shri Adya Prasad Pandey as Vice Chancellor vide order dated 17.09.2018 issued by the Visitor of the University is continued and not revoked during the continuation of the office of the Court Appointed Administrator as mentioned above, and without specific leave of this Court,” the order added.
According to the court order, all the authorities under the Manipur University Act, 2005 and all the respondents including the Union and State Respondents and Private Respondents herein, shall render their full co-operation and assistance to the Administrator in his duties to bring normalcy to the University and also, as and when the Administrator specifically seeks their assistance. “No authority, including under the Manipur University Act, 2005 shall have any authority to curtail the power and functions of the Administrator without specific leave of this Court,” the order also said.
