SHILLONG, May 10: The Central Government has taken note of the demand for the removal of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) Vice Chancellor Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla, officially forwarding the request to the relevant department for further consideration, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has confirmed.
This development was disclosed by Meghalaya Cabinet Minister and BJP leader A.L. Hek during a press briefing on Friday. Hek stated that he had written to the Centre on April 3, requesting intervention regarding the leadership at NEHU. “A reply has finally been received, confirming that the request has been passed on to the relevant department for necessary steps,” he said.
Hek explained that the appointment or removal of a Vice Chancellor follows a formal process and cannot be executed immediately. He further informed that a committee has already been constituted by the Central Government to examine the concerns raised by both students and faculty members of the university.
“Every institution has mechanisms in place to deal with such issues. Decisions of this nature require thorough review and cannot be rushed,” Hek stated in response to criticism that the government was being indifferent to the matter.
The demand for Prof. Shukla’s removal comes amid widespread dissatisfaction among students and faculty, who have alleged administrative lapses and mismanagement under his tenure.
In response to the growing pressure and media attention, the Ministry of Education had established a fact-finding committee in November last year to investigate the complaints. The panel was tasked with submitting its findings within 15 days, including recommendations for corrective actions.
However, even after several months, the final outcome of the committee’s investigation has yet to be made public.
Hek countered accusations of governmental inaction by asserting, “The very fact that a response was issued and the matter is being examined shows the government is taking it seriously.”
The situation continues to evolve as the concerned department now reviews the forwarded request for further steps.
