By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 27: Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui on Thursday firmly stated that the state government will not grant an extension to National Law University (NLU) Meghalaya Vice Chancellor Prof Indrajit Dube if university rules prohibit it.
This comes amid allegations of misuse of power by the VC, raised by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU).
Rymbui said the KSU delegation met him to vehemently oppose any extension for Dube, whose term ends in February 2026. They argued that serious irregularities uncovered via RTI make an extension not only inappropriate but also illegal under NLU regulations.
The minister assured that he will thoroughly review the governing statutes before advising or acting. “If the rules clearly bar extension, we will abide strictly. Investigations into allegations will follow only after resolving the tenure issue lawfully,” he said.
Rymbui emphasised NLU’s founding vision of delivering top-tier legal education to Meghalaya and India, potentially producing future judges and lawyers.
“Integrity is paramount. Even minor doubts about key officials must be addressed decisively. We cannot endorse any rule violations in such vital institutions,” he added. KSU general secretary Donald V. Thabah demanded that the VC post be advertised immediately post-tenure for a “new and efficient” appointee. He warned that government inaction would signal weakness, implying the VC holds undue sway over the state.
Thabah detailed the KSU’s concerns, stemming from an RTI application earlier this year. The findings allegedly show Dube’s “misuse and abuse” of powers, including financial impropriety — Rs 3 lakh spent on alcohol and beverages for a climate investment event; Rs 45 lakh on salaries for resident and associate professors who taught no classes; and Rs 15 lakh on ambiguous travel expenses, unclear if official or personal.
“This treats public funds as personal property,” Thabah charged, adding that such lapses undermine the credibility of Meghalaya’s premier law school.
He recounted that during a meeting with the then Law Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, the KSU submitted a memorandum and the RTI evidence.
He said the Minister had assured them that necessary steps would be taken to address the issues and had requested two months’ time to act. However, with those two months having passed, the KSU contacted her again, only to be informed that a meeting on the action taken report would be held soon.
Before that meeting could take place, the Cabinet reshuffle happened in September and Rymbui assumed charge.
Thabah said this was why the KSU met the new Law Minister on Thursday, during which they resubmitted the same documents and memorandum.
He added that the union now expects decisive action, stressing that the issues at hand concern public money, institutional integrity, and the credibility of the state’s premier law institution.
