SHILLONG, Oct 1: The Non-Teaching Staff Association of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHUNSA) has sought the intervention of the Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan into the undue delay in holding a regular Executive Council meeting of the university.
In a letter to Pradhan, NEHUNSA said that the Executive Council is the highest governing and executive body of the university, and its meetings are crucial for resolving various academic and administrative agendas, including the recruitment of non-teaching employees. The delay in holding the meeting has hindered the university’s progress, as decisions cannot be endorsed or resolved without the council’s approval.
The association has criticized Vice Chancellor Prof PS Shukla for his prolonged absence from office, which has lasted for almost a year.
According to NEHU statutes, the senior-most Pro Vice-Chancellor should perform the duties of the Vice Chancellor in his absence.
NEHUNSA has requested that the senior-most Pro Vice-Chancellor chair the Executive Council meeting, as Prof Shukla’s absence renders him ineligible to do so. The association has cited the NEHU statutes and a letter from the Ministry of Education, which states that all official meetings, including Executive Council meetings, should be conducted within the university campus. It has argued that Prof. Shukla cannot chair any statutory meetings, including the Executive Council meeting, due to his prolonged absence.
“On the basis of the above-mentioned statute and letter Prof. P. S. Shukla cannot and should not chair any statutory meetings. NEHUNSA has clearly and openly communicated to the office of the Hon’ble Education Minister that the senior most Pro Vice-Chancellor should be handed the responsibility for chairing the most anticipated Executive Council meeting,” the association stated.
Further, NEHUNSA has informed prominent leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Dr. Ricky AJ Syngkon, MP Shillong Constituency, and Saleng A Sangma, MP Tura Constituency, about the issue and requested their intervention.
 has sought the intervention of the Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan into the undue delay in holding a regular Executive Council meeting of the university.){kind=link}