IT News
Imphal , Aug 9,
The over two months old impasse at Manipur University, which put a grinding halt to all academic activities of Higher education in the state finally sees hope of restoring to normalcy if the Union HRD Ministry cooperate with the newly designated In-Charge VC.
The ball is now in the court of the VC. Prof. Vishwanath Singh of the Life Science Dept. of MU has accepted the charge of VC in principle on the following day of the released of the Manipur University order No. MU/VC/1 dated 2/8/ 2018. Incumbent VC Prof. AP Pandey, who is on leave for 30 days since August 1, is busy with University Grant Commission Assignment for inspection of colleges at Nagaland.
After assuming the in-charge VC on August 3, Prof. W. Vishwanath Singh wrote a letter on August 8 to one R. Subrahmanyam, Secretary to the Government of India, Dept. of Higher Education, MHRD, requesting the Ministry to resolve the present crisis in Manipur University.
In the letter endorse to the Secretary MHRD, Prof. Vishwanath urges the Ministry that the 30 days leave granted to Prof. AP Pandey be related to the enquiry of the fact finding committee constituted by the MHRD as per the desire of the Manipur University Community.
While elaborating on why the MU Community demanding removal Prof. AP Pandey from VCship refused to co-operate with the Fact Finding Committee, Prof. Vishwanath , the VC in-charge insisted the MHRD to constitute the Fact Finding Committee under the Commission of Enquiry Act 1952.
The letter to the Secretary, MHRD also expressed shocked in seeing report about AP Pandey acting as VC of the Manipur University outside the state when he has been on leave following allegations on misappropriations and irregularities to the MU administration.
Now it is upto the MHRD, on whether the academic atmosphere be resumed as the letter is being sent by a VC in charge who has been conferred all power equivalent to the VC in his absence as per the Manipur University Act.
Prof. Vishwanath, had stated that he cannot refuse government assignment to a question by journalist but said that as restoration of the academic atmosphere is only possible after solving the present crisis. He said he will consult with all the stakeholders of the Manipur University and take a consensus if he had to take the charge of VC.
As per the Central University Act, when a VC is out of station, the Pro VC takes the charge of the VC if in case of non existence of the Pro VC then the senior most teachers have been handed over the charge of the University Vice Chancellor.
Interestingly, equal power can be exercised by the in-charge VC in the absence of the VC. The letter written should be considered if there is no political interference in the matter. The wisdom of the new VC in Charge is the only solution to the crisis. Counter rally, blame game will never be able to solve the matter.
