SHILLONG, Nov 19: The North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) in Meghalaya is set to face scrutiny as Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Nirmalendu Saha announced that a two-member central probe team will soon visit the university to investigate allegations of mismanagement and administrative failures.
Professor Saha mentioned that the Ministry of Education has assured that action will be initiated based on the recommendations from the report prepared by the inquiry committee. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “I requested the inquiry team to come as early as possible because students are on an indefinite hunger strike and they are adamant that they will not call off their agitation unless action is initiated against VC Prabha Shankar Shukla.”
In light of the investigation, the Ministry has asked for documents related to the grievances raised by various stakeholders within the university. Meanwhile, NEHU has formed an internal committee mandated to compile a comprehensive report on the allegations against Vice-Chancellor Shukla. This committee, headed by NEHUTA president Lakhon Kma, includes representatives from various stakeholders such as NEHUTA, NEHUSU, the KSU NEHU unit, and senior professors.
The central committee will probe into significant concerns, including NEHU’s declining rankings, controversial appointments, infrastructural neglect, and the perceived “non-responsiveness” of Professor Shukla. Saha added, “After reviewing the submitted documents, the inquiry team will listen to all stakeholders before returning to Delhi to submit their report to the Education Ministry.”
The ongoing hunger strike, which began on November 5, has entered its 15th day on November 19 as students continue to demand accountability from university officials. Their list of demands includes the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Professor Prabha Shankar Shukla, the Registrar, and the Deputy Registrar, among others.
Concerns have been heightened due to a significant decline in NEHU’s ranking within the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), which is attributed to alleged administrative failures and negligence by the university administration.
