Shillong: Four key bodies of the North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) have jointly called for the resignation of the Pro Vice Chancellor of the Shillong campus, citing “administrative paralysis” and failure to act on earlier assurances aimed at restoring the institute’s normal functioning.
In a joint statement issued on Monday night, the NEHU Students’ Union (NEHUSU), NEHU Teachers’ Association (NEHUTA), NEHU Non-Teaching Staff Association (NEHUNSA) and the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) NEHU unit said Pro Vice Chancellor S Umdor has either been unable, or has not been allowed, to function in line with assurances made by representatives of the Union Ministry in the presence of members of the executive council.
The bodies said the assurances were meant to bring stability, transparency and normalcy to the university. However, the continued failure to implement them has prolonged uncertainty and eroded confidence among students, teachers and staff.
They also expressed concern over the resignations of the Registrar (in-charge) and the Finance Officer (in-charge), which they claimed were triggered by undue pressure from Vice Chancellor (in-absentia) Professor P S Shukla. According to them, these developments have further worsened the administrative crisis.
The joint statement noted that Professor Shukla has remained away from the Shillong campus for more than a year following protests over alleged mismanagement and irregularities, leaving the university without effective leadership. It added that while the Centre had deputed officials to inquire into the allegations against the Vice Chancellor, no concrete action has so far been taken, contributing to the prevailing uncertainty.
“At present, NEHU is facing complete administrative paralysis, with no regular Vice Chancellor, Registrar, Finance Officer or Controller of Examinations, leading to total institutional disability and severely affecting academic and administrative functioning,” the statement said.
The issue has also been raised at the national level, with Shillong MP Ricky Syngkon recently seeking the Centre’s intervention in Parliament over the prolonged leadership crisis at NEHU.
Stating that the responsibility to uphold the assurances and ensure effective functioning rests with the Pro Vice Chancellor’s office, the four bodies said continuation in the post under the current circumstances was no longer in the best interest of the university.
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They urged the Pro Vice Chancellor, who was appointed in June this year, to step down to allow alternative arrangements in line with institutional norms, asserting that the demand was made in the interest of restoring trust, administrative stability and democratic functioning at NEHU.
