JAMMU: Running into eighth year of its existence, the Cluster University of Jammu (CLUJ) till date failed to appoint Registrar as well as Controller of Examination (CoE) on permanent basis. The prolong practice of promoting adhocism on these two significant posts has caused extensive damage to CLUJ in terms of growth, academic excellence and examination system which is no more a secret.
Currently, the office of Registrar as well as CoE is managed by Jatinder Khajuria and Rajinder Sharma respectively on adhoc basis.
For smooth functioning of CLUJ at its inception stage, the deputation of Jatinder Khajuria from Jammu University to CLUJ as Registrar was announced for a period of five year. Similarly, the CoE charge currently has been given to one Assistant Professor of Botany.
However, while the CLUJ is facing widespread criticism for winding up all integrated and under graduate course besides failure to introduce even a single skill oriented program since its inception, the incumbent Registrar manage extension in deputation by claiming that the varsity is still in “infancy stage”, says our reliable sources.
First, the deputation of Registrar for 5 years was not in good spirit and further extensions on a post which totally belongs to college fraternity is being withheld from higher education department as well as parent institution (Jammu University). The silence of JU is also questionable for failing to recall it’s officer for almost 8 years.
Insiders in CLUJ attribute this development as deliberate attempt on part of the incumbent Registrar to delay process for appointment of Registrar through selection process until his retirement.
Even the post of CoE so far has not been advertised despite lapse of seven years. There are allegations that this was done deliberately so as to help in-charge CoE Rajinder Sharma become eligible for the post ignoring the massive mess prevailing in examination system in CLUJ. This is match fixing, added sources.
Expressing resentment against the working style of Registrar, teachers of constituent colleges of CLUJ said, “This is mind blowing to see that when CLUJ has failed to justify its purpose for which it was established, the government rewarded Registrar with Medal for excellence in work besides recurring extensions ”.
This excellence is missing badly on ground in CLUJ where currently only conventional courses are offered alike Jammu University. So, what good he has done for stake holders, question a Principal of GDC, preferring anonymity.
Extending deputation of Registrar has resulted in blockage of vacancy and if the government really desired to prevent CLUJ from the disaster of closure owing to prevailing favoritism and nepotism than it is high time that the government must advertise and conclude process for appointment of Registrar as well as CoE on priority.
Interestingly, the Kashmir and Jammu Cluster Universities Act, 2016 clearly says that both the Registrar and CoE is whole time officer of university which shall be appointed by the Academic Council on the recommendation of Selection Committee.
On being asked about prolong delay in appointment of whole time Registrar and CoE, the Vice-Chancellor, CLUJ, Dr Bechan Lal dexterously avoiding straight reply said “There is a cobweb of vested elements which acts as per their whims and fancies and creates roadblocks in achieving the desired goal”.
(To be continued)