By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 26: The NEHUSU has set Vice Chancellor Prabha Shankar Shukla a deadline of midnight of October 26 to sack technical officer/senior consultant Rohit Prasad allegedly appointed illegally.
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) had given the same deadline earlier.
The members of the NEHSU, which had set a two-week deadline for various demands, held a protest march demanding the removal of Prasad. The protest march began at the central library and culminated outside the VC’s office.
The students also shouted slogans to condemn the VC for the illegal appointment.
After they found that Prof Shukla was not present in his office, the agitated students took out a protest march to NEHU’s old guest house after learning that he was attending a meeting.
The students forced the VC to come out from the meeting and talk to them. Following the meeting, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the NEHUSU and the office of the VC. (Contd on P-10)
NEHU VC set deadline to sack…
(Contd from P-1) This followed an agreement for resolving issues related to the hostels, the establishment of the School of Technology library, the provision of proper lab equipment, and a marking system.
NEHUSU general secretary, Banpynbiang Riang told reporters that the union has persistently raised concerns about the hostel conditions, including food quality, poor Wi-Fi access, and infrastructure.
“We have decided to establish the NEHU Mess Committee within two weeks to see the quality and standard of food,” he said.
Riang said the office of the VC has a committee to ensure proper Wi-Fi access to all hotel rooms and initiate necessary repairs and maintenance work for a safe and comfortable environment.
“Acknowledging the importance of a dedicated library for the School of Technology, the VC’s officer committed to allocating a dedicated room and facilitating the transfer of relevant books from the central library,” he said quoting the MoU.
“Recognising the urgent need for new computer equipment, particularly in the Department of Library and Information Science, we were given a commitment that the equipment would be procured within two weeks,” Riang said.
In pursuit of a fair and equitable marking system, he said that the office of the VC committed to reviewing and enhancing the current making system to ensure objectivity and equity within two weeks.
“This MoU is effective immediately and shall be implemented within two weeks of its signing. Both parties agreed to review the progress of the outstanding commitments and address any outstanding concerns as necessary. Regular updates will be provided by the office of the VC to NEHUSU,” he said.
Riang also said they are supporting the demand of the JAC to immediately remove Prasad.
NEHUTA president, Lakhon Kma also came to address the students.
He said the NEHU has competent expertise in the field of technology for which the individual was appointed.
According to Prof Kma, these experts can be easily utilised to perform the minuscule tasks for which Prasad was appointed.
He further said that providing a hefty salary along with DA, to which consultants are not entitled, and that too from the recurring fund of NEHU, raised eyebrows as the university is going through financial difficulties.
“The deadline for Prasad’s removal by the midnight of October 26 stays,” he said, adding that the meeting of the JAC, scheduled on Friday, will go ahead as planned as they have several other issues to discuss.
“We will make sure that the JAC stays strong, and we will keep fighting until Prasad is removed. Even if he is removed, we will have other issues plaguing this university,” he said.