IT News
Imphal, April 28
Manipur University is once more in the news, and this time it is not for any agitation or uprising but for conflicting orders issued by the Registrar and none implementation of the same by Finance department authority of the University.
According to government advisory to contain the Coronavirus pandemic, it is being ordered to make the staff attendance by 33% of the total staffs either at state or central government offices. The advisory has been endorsed by the Manipur University authority and an office order by the registrar Manipur University dated April 17, 2020 stated that following the extension of the nationwide lockdown by the Union Ministry till May, the University will remain close till May 3, 20202. Among others the order stated that during the lockdown the office of the University will however function with 100% attendance of the Assistant Registrar and above level officers. However staffs below the rank of Assistant Registrar are to attend on roaster basis and the number should not exceed 33%.
The office order also sharply wrote that only a minimum number of Officers and staffs below the level of Assistant registrar, as per weekly roster and preferably those residing in the University Campus, shall attend duty with immediate effect.
However, some staffs of the Finance department of the Manipur University while informing to Imphal Times said that the office of the MU Finance section is not following the advisory nor following the office order by the Registrar. As per source with the Imphal Times total staff strength is 40 to 45. The Finance officer verbally ordered all staffs to attend the office during the lockdown and as per source staff attendance at the Finance Office is nearly 100%. Those who cannot attend the office during the lockdown are ordered to apply leave application and they were allegedly threatened to deduct their salary if fail to attend.
However, talking to Imphal Times, Registrar MU, W. Chandbabu said that the MU is strictly following the government advisory to contain the pandemic corona virus. Only 33 percent are attending the office.
The question arises here is- how could the Finance Officer of the MU order all staff to attend when there has already been an office order issue by the Registrar that only 33% should attend the office during this lockdown to contain COIV-19 Pandemic.