NEHUNSA extends full support to students’ demand for VC’s removal

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaNovember 11, 2024

The non-teaching staff under the banner of the North Eastern Hill University Non-teaching Staff Association (NEHUNSA) has extended its full support to the ongoing indefinite hunger strike protest led by the students’ union (NEHUSU) for demanding the immediate resignation of the incumbent vice chancellor Prof PS Shukla.

The decision was taken at its emergent general body meeting held here on Monday.

NEHUNSA president Dr WR Synrem said, “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 rules passed by the Government of India.”

He alleged that since the joining of the current Vice Chancellor, all work in the University has been disturbed due to the 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.

“It seems that the Vice Chancellor has come to this University to learn, which is not expected of the Executive Head,” Dr Synrem said.

Stating that the interview for the Statutory post(s) of the University was conducted in Guwahati, whereby the Vice Chancellor cited that it was due to the urgent need to fill these positions, the president of the association said, “But to our utter disbelieve, the Controller of Examination which was included in the interview, was allowed to join 6 (six) months after the Offer of appointment was made to him.”

“Recently, a Deputy Registrar was appointed who has no knowledge of correct English, despite the University’s medium of instruction being in English. This has also affected the day to day working of the administration,” he added.

Further, Dr Synrem informed that the condition of the road on the campus is in a dilapidated condition, which was never the case since the inception of the university. This issue too has been discussed with the Vice Chancellor repeatedly, but no action has been taken till date.

He said that the quarters allotted to the employees are never maintained by the University and the occupants have to shell out from their own pockets for any minor or major repairs despite their House Rent Allowance (HRA) being deducted every month.

Street lights, which are very important during the night, are not functioning, hence compromising the security and safety of the residents, including the students.

Moreover, Dr Synrem informed, “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.”

“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,” he added.