By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 10: Alleging anomaly in their appointments, the North-Eastern Hill University Teachers’ Association (NEHUTA) has asked the incumbent Deans of School of Social Sciences, and the School of Economics, Management and Information Sciences to step down.
The teachers’ association arrived at this decision following deliberations on the issue of alleged irregular and unstatutory appointment of Deans in School of Social Sciences, and the School of Economics, Management and Information Sciences.
Following the general meeting of the NEHUTA on the issue on Friday, the association president Lakhon Kma informed that the appointments in question violate fairness, natural justice and ethical principles that teachers are expected to uphold.
He also informed that the decision was arrived at after taking due cognisance of the statutory principle of “by rotation based on seniority” for appointment of any official in any central university, including NEHU
According to the NEHUTA president, the UGC Regulations 2018 prescribes upholding of high academic standards and morals to maintain standards of academics in a premier central university like NEHU.
Kma further informed that during Friday’s meeting, it was decided that an ultimatum will be sent to the NEHU Vice-Chancellor, and the copies of the same will be forwarded to other statutory and constitutional authorities.
He said the NEHUTA, in its ultimatum, will give references to how high courts across the country have reiterated the statutory principle of “by rotation based on seniority”, with a hope that the NEHU Vice-Chancellor can correct the “wrong action”, which, he continued, is tantamount to contempt of court.
The NEHUTA further noted the action taken by the University on Executive Engineer Jose Cherian, who has been placed under suspension since May 8 for his alleged gross misconduct and corruption case.
“It is worth mentioning here that the said Engineer was indicted by CBI as well as an internal inquiry was conducted by the University. We will be closely observing further developments on the matter, as the University has delayed the action beyond considerable imagination,” he said.
The NEHUTA president also alleged that such delay has allowed Cherian to tamper with official documents.
