NEHU comes to complete halt, VC says removal of registrar, deputy registrar cannot be executed based on unilateral decision
Appealing to the agitating students and non-teaching staff to call off their indefinite agitations, vice chancellor of the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) Prof PS Shukla on Wednesday said removal of the Registrar, Deputy Registrar (Academics), cannot be executed based on unilateral decisions or personal discretion.
According to him, the government may consider forming an inquiry committee to examine the demand for their removal, if it suspects any irregularities in their appointments.
He assured that the recruitment process to the posts of non-teaching staff will start once the office of the Registrar reopens, as it is being closed due to the ongoing protests.
All activities in the prestigious NEHU came to a halt following the twin protests called by the student bodies and a non teaching staff association.
While the students under the banner of the North Eastern Hill University Students Union (NEHUSU) backed by the Khasi Students Union – NEHU Unit are staging an indefinite hunger strike and calling for a total lockdown of the university as a mark of protest against the failure to remove the Registrar, Deputy Registrar (Academics), Officer on Special Duty (Director, College Development Council) and Guest House In-charge, the non-teaching staff under the banner of the NEHUNSA have called for an indefinite cease work for the past 3 days to protest against the unprecedented delay in the promotion and recruitment to the various posts advertised since November, last year.
Addressing media persons, Prof Shukla said, “The removal of the Registrar, Deputy Registrar (Academics), cannot be executed based on unilateral decisions or personal discretion. These officials, including the Registrar and Deputy Registrar, were appointed following a thorough screening process and formal interviews. Their roles and continuity in service are governed by due processes, not by arbitrary decisions from any single authority, including the Vice-Chancellor.”
Stating that associations such as NEHUTA, NEHUNSA, and NEHUSU have written to the government including the president of India, the VC said, “If the government suspects any irregularities, it may consider forming an inquiry committee to examine the matter. However, as of now, there has been no communication from the Ministry or the President’s office to the Vice-Chancellor’s office indicating such an action.”
“It’s important to note that the termination of a government employee’s service cannot occur without valid and substantial reasons. If there are indeed concerns or reasons for any such action, the process would begin with an inquiry, not an immediate termination,” he added.
Regarding the roles of the OSD (Director, College Development Council), Prof Shukla said, “I had approached many professors to consider taking the post. However, no one gave their consent.”
He assured, “I am still willing to appoint any Professor who is ready to work as the Director of College Development Council and as for Guest House Incharge, NEHU currently faces a shortage of non-teaching staff.”
On the issue raised by NEHUNSA in regards to the delay in the recruitment of non-teaching staff, Prof Shukla said that advertisements for the non-teaching staff positions have already been issued, and although the National Testing Agency (NTA) has declined to conduct the non-teaching recruitment exams, we have proceeded with tendering for alternative agencies.
“Multiple agencies have shown interest, and once the Registrar’s office reopens (currently closed due to protests), these files will move forward. When the recruitment process is successfully completed, the role of Guest House Incharge will naturally conclude and new Guest House Incharge,” he assured.
Regarding the demand for Pro-VC in both campuses of NEHU, the VC assured to appoint two pro-VCs for Shillong and Tura within December, if there is no response from the Centre for clarity over the matter.
“I would like to inform you that the University has formally written to the Ministry for further clarification on this matter and is awaiting their response. I will write to the Ministry again and if there is no response within December 2024, I will appoint two Pro-Vice-Chancellors for Shillong and Tura Campuses from the local community only,” he said.
Further, the VC said that he would immediately call the agitating students and non-teaching staff for discussion and resolving the issues.
“Please come forward and discuss the matter. Discussion is the only way to solve any kind of problem. There is no other way. Come to the table and discuss the matter under the norms, rules and system. I am also bound with the rules and regulations. I am always ready to discuss with my students and also non teaching staff,” he stated.
Urging them to call off their protests, Prof Shukla said, “My request to the students union, non teaching union and also if the teaching union are also involved – kindly call off the agitation in the interest of the NEHU students. What will be the consequences if it is going to continue for a long time? Definitely, the examination will be affected. So who will be the sufferer? So come to the table, I am ready to discuss the matter to find an amicable solution under the system, rules and norms.”
Asked, the VC said that he already had a discussion with the NEHUNSA and soon issued a written assurance in regards to their demands.
Meanwhile, the VC has maintained that he is not ready to step down despite the demand by agitation groups.
“I am not ready to step down. My appointment was made by the president of India. Definitely I will follow whatever the decision that is going to be taken by the president of India,” he stated further.
Meanwhile, the NEHUNSA has announced its decision to exempt the examination department from the current tool-down strike in view of the upcoming undergraduate exams, which will commence from November 11.
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