SHILLONG: Countering the allegations leveled by the North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), which had on Friday said the executive and election committees of North-Eastern Hill University Teachers’ Association (NEHUTA) are null and void, the NEHUTA on Sunday said the composition of election committee was approved in a general body meeting, adding that the notification is fully constitutional as per constitution of NEHUTA.
“During the first week of May, which was before the completion of the term, the constitution of NEHUTA recommended the composition and constitution of the election committee which was, in fact, based on the decision of the first general body meeting.
The composition of election committee was approved in general body meeting conducted online. Thus, the notification, dated May 29, is fully as per constitution of NEHUTA. The election was smoothly conducted as per constitution, result was declared and EHUTA EC 2020-21 took charge on June 19,” NEHUTA said in a statement on Sunday.
“Thus, the unilateral declaration from the VC that the term of executive committee expired is baseless and the provision for the continuance of the incumbent Executive committee is provided in the very Clause 8 itself. As per Clause-8, the NEHUTA EC continued and the president and general secretary had full constitutional powers to communicate with others,” NEHUTA added.
The NEHUTA also lambasted the vice-chancellor, saying that the latter “has no power to interfere suo moto in the functioning of an independent association”.
“The unacceptable act of interference by falsely terming NEHUTA election 2020-21 as unconstitutional, null and void by NEHU Vice-Chancellor is itself null and void, as he has no power to interfere suo moto in the functioning of an independent association.
He is citing statute 44 wrongly to create hindrance in the constitutional functioning of a legally set-up Association with the agenda of silencing the watchdog body of teachers so that his administrative, financial and other misdeeds are not brought to the notice of Authorities and the public,” the NEHUTA said.
The statement also said the “deliberate misrepresentation” of NEHU statutes and NEHUTA Constitution is aimed at creating hindrances in the functioning of the watchdog body of NEHUTA, adding that it is “likely strategy to get the second term as vice-chancellor of this premier university in spite of abysmal inefficiency and failures to serve NEHU”.