In light of serious concerns raised by the students, student associations, and reports in the media, the Education Ministry of the Central government has decided to constitute a two-member committee to inquire into the alleged mismanagement and administrative failures within North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong.
The inquiry committee headed by former University Grants Commission (UGC) chairman Prof. D P Singh also consists of former Assam University vice chancellor Prof. Dilip Chandra Nath.
According to an order issued today by D K Himanshu, Under Secretary, Education Ministry, the allegations that have been brought to the attention of the ministry include declining university rankings by NEHU, controversial appointments, infrastructural neglect and non-responsiveness of NEHU vice chancellor Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla.
The Education Ministry said that a significant drop in NEHU’s ranking in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) is attributed to alleged administrative negligence.
It also said that there were allegations of irregular appointments including the appointments of NEHU registrar Omkar Singh and deputy registrar Amit Gupta, which are claimed to have contributed to the university’s inefficiency.
The ministry also stated that there were reports of poor maintenance and neglect of basic amenities and infrastructure, adversely affecting the academic environment and student welfare in NEHU.
“Multiple complaints and memoranda from student bodies, including demands for essential reforms, have reportedly been ignored by the vice chancellor,” the Education Ministry stated.
Stating that In view of the gravity of the issues, the two-member committee was constituted to conduct a thorough inquiry into the matter.
The ministry also directed the inquiry committee to submit its report within a period of 15 days from today, along with necessary recommendations for corrective actions.
“University authorities are directed to assist fully with the committee and provide all necessary documentation and assistance required for the inquiry,” the order said.
It may be mentioned that the Meghalaya High Court yesterday asked the Central government to resolve the crisis in NEHU by November 20. It also said that any failure by the Central government to resolve the issue within this period would force the court to take suo motu cognisance of the affairs and decide the matter accordingly.
The a division bench of the Meghalaya High Court consisting of Chief Justice Indra Prassana Mukerji and Justice B Bhattacharjee gave the directions after hearing a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on the ongoing imbroglio in the NEHU.
The High Court also stated that it has taken judicial notice of the fact that the State government has made some recommendations to the Central government to resolve the acute problems which NEHU is facing today and that the Central government is contemplating measures to resolve them.
The High Court also stated that it shall continue to take judicial notice of the developments.
