Administrative functions in the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) came to standstill today following the start of the indefinite strike by non-teaching staff to protest against the unprecedented delay in the promotion and recruitment process for vacancies that were advertised on November 3, 2023.
The NEHU Teachers’ Association (NEHUTA) has expressed its deep concern at continuing stalemate at NEHU and blamed it on the alleged adamant attitude of incumbent vice chancellor Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla.
In a statement issued today, NEHUTA said that Prof. Shukla failed to take any initiative in resolving issues about termination of errant, irresponsible and inefficient Registrar Omkar Singh and Deputy Registrar Amit Gupta so that NEHU can be further damaged.
“His ill motivated inaction and negligence is of a Himalayan proportion. So far, the incumbent vice chancellor failed to address a single issue raised by the university community in an appropriate manner. His evasive role only points at his casual and faltering approach like an ostrich hiding his head under sand dunes,” NEHUTA said.
“The question is, can NEHU afford to function with so many Prof. Shukla recruits misfitting into their job. Recruits of Prof. Shukla seemingly is of this kind as he, as the Chairman of selection committees, completely disregarded qualified local candidates from Meghalaya and beyond and imported only less than optimal performers,” it added.
The NEHUTA also said that the Vice-Chancellor is trying to hide behind some empty procedures and intentional delays “as if delay can buy him time and the university community shall get frustrated”.
“Such delusional beliefs keep him away and he continues to stay out of station by ignoring the public outcry at his failure to run NEHU even with minimal sense of commitment,” it said.
Meanwhile, NEHUTA said that in its general body meeting held on November 1 it expressed its appreciation for NEHUNSA’s letter of support and resolved to strongly support NEHUSU’s demand for the removal of the Registrar and Deputy Registrar in the larger interest of NEHU.
The general body meeting also authorised the NEHUTA executive committee to plan, strategise, and take the necessary course of action to achieve its demands and objectives.
