By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 13: The state government feels that a solution to the imbroglio in the North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) is in sight.
Chief Secretary, DP Wahlang held a meeting with the secretary of the Union Ministry of Education in Delhi on Monday to discuss the current crisis in the university.
“We tried to find a solution during our deliberation. I think we have found a solution to end the stalemate in NEHU,” Wahlang told The Shillong Times on the phone.
He said he would see how things evolve when he returns to Shillong.
Replying to a query, he said he was told that the two-member committee to investigate the NEHU crisis submitted its report.
“But the ministry feels that it is not required to share the details of the report with the state government at this juncture,” the Chief Secretary said.
Stating that the ministry is still studying the report, Wahlang said the report is yet to be put to the Union Minister of Education, Dharmendra Pradhan. He also said he had deliberations on a host of other issues during his meeting with the secretary of the union ministry.
Meanwhile, the NEHUSU and the NEHU unit of the KSU wrote to Wahlang seeking his intervention regarding the findings of the committee appointed to investigate allegations of mismanagement and administrative failures at the university.
“Pursuant to the Ministry’s directive dated 14th November 2024, the Committee conducted an extensive inquiry into the matters at NEHU. Throughout this investigation, our organisations submitted substantial documentation and evidence regarding the actions of Vice Chancellor PS Shukla. Additionally, the Committee, through a letter from its Chairman dated 29th November 2024, was granted a 15-day extension to finalise its report,” NEHUSU president, Sandy Sohtun said in the letter.
He, however, said no notification or update regarding the committee’s findings has been received till January 10. “In view of the gravity of the issues raised, we urgently seek your intervention to ensure the prompt release and implementation of the Committee’s recommendations,” he wrote.
Stating that despite numerous communications with the relevant authorities, he said no action has yet been taken against Prof Shukla, thereby intensifying their concerns and underscoring the need for immediate measures.
“Your timely intervention is crucial to addressing these grievances and restoring confidence in NEHU’s governance. The administration under Prof Shukla has led to significant administrative and academic challenges, detrimentally affecting the university’s reputation and operations,” the NEHUSU president said.
He said they have demanded his immediate removal from the position of Vice Chancellor to prevent further damage.
According to him, the student community has unequivocally lost trust and confidence in Prof Shukla’s leadership, asserting their inability to cooperate with him.
“His continued presence as Vice Chancellor is counterproductive to the institution’s objectives and has resulted in a decline in the university’s standards. We, therefore, request that full authority be vested in Prof Nirmalendu Saha, the current Vice Chancellor in charge, to ensure the university’s smooth functioning,” he said.
He added that in light of these urgent issues, the union would earnestly appeal to the Chief Secretary to represent the students’ concerns during his forthcoming meeting with the officials of the ministry.
Sohtun said the removal of Prof Shukla and the restoration of effective governance in NEHU are imperative for the university’s future and its broader academic community.
“The students categorically state that they will not accept Prof Shukla’s return to the NEHU campus under any circumstances. We trust in your prompt and decisive action to address this critical situation,” he said.