SHILLONG: An RTI query revealed that North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) suffers from deficiencies like shortage of staff both in the teaching and non-teaching departments as there are huge number of vacancies.
As many as 35 post of Professors, 52 post of Associate Professors and 16 posts of Assistant Professors have been lying vacant for many years in the different departments of NEHU.
The RTI was filed by Kynjainmon Amse, a resident of Umkiang Village, East Jaintia Hills. He received a reply that claimed that the University has called for application for filling the different teaching post in the year but till date there has been no recruitment of new teachers.
He stated that the University was forced to hire guest lecturers instead of filling up the vacant post.
The RTI query further revealed that in the administration wing, 16 (Sixteen) posts were lying vacant I the university. Vacant non-teaching Group-A posts include: Registrar-1, Finance Officer-1, Librarian-1, University Engineer- 1, Director, CDC – 1, Deputy Registrar – 3, Assistant Registrar- 5, Assistant Librarian- 1, System Analyst- 1 and Scientific Officer – 1.
Further, there are 359 vacant non-teaching vacant posts at Group B, C and D level as indicated hereunder:
GROUP B – Section Officer- 3, Private Secretary- 2, Professional Assistant-3, Coach -2, Senior Statistical Assistants-2, Computer Operator-1, Assistant Engineer-1, Senior Technical Assistant-5, Assistants-6, Junior Engineer-3, Staff Nurse-2, Junior Hindi Translator-1, Security Officer-2.
GROUP C – Lower Division Clerk-89, Gestetner Operator-1, Driver-17, Despatch Rider-1, Semi- Professional Assistant-5, Stenographer-34, Junior Library Assistant-8, Binder-2, Technical Assistant-3, Laboratory Assistant-4, Draftsman-1, Electrician- 1, Plumber-3, Water Pump Operator-2, Work Assistant-5,TA Glass Blowing-1, Data Entry Operator-10,Proof Reader-1, Statistical Assistant-1, Sanitary Inspector-1, Warden-2, Calligraphist-3, Tracer-3,Technical Assistant (Electrical)-1, Technical Assistant (Reprography)-1, Carpenter-1, Technician Grade IV -1, Security Assistant, Gr.II -1, Key Punch Operator-3, Plate Maker-1 and Hindi Typist-1.
GROUP D – Peon-32, Kitchen Attendants-1, Attendant Vehicle/Workshop-4, Attendant General-6, Duftry-1, Gate Keeper-1, Chowkidar-32, Cleaner-22, Safaiwalas-3, Cook-7, Library Attendant-3, Laboratory Attendant-3, Dresser-1, Wireman-1 and Lineman-1.
The RTI query found that with regard to the vacancies of teaching posts, the University has floated the advertisement. But for the vacancies of non- teaching Group A posts, the matter was under process.
As for the vacancies at Group B, C and D, the University cannot take any action to fill up those due to the directive received from the UGC not to fill up any vacant post since the present ratio between the teaching and non- teaching staff in the University is higher than the ratio prescribed by the UGC.
Amse stated that the shortage of staff and teachers is obviously harming the capacity and capability of the university to perform its function.
He said, “With unemployment in the state of Meghalaya in a very large and alarming situation, the University should immediately call for application to fill the vacant post so as to provide employment to some citizens and thereby the University can also grow.”