While welcoming belated decision of LG administration to form Search Committee, the academicians and stakeholders have fervently urged LG Manoj Sinha for cancellation of all selection and interview process which were initiated by Jammu University after expiry of Prof. Manoj Dhar term as Vice-chancellor 5 months ago.
JAMMU: Finally, the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha has constituted Search Committee to recommend a set of names for appointment of new Vice Chancellor of Jammu University.
As per order No LGS/19/SC/JU/2021-5313 dated 8/12/2021 issued by Ajay Bahrti, Under Secretary in the LG secretariat, Prof. Arun Kumar Grover, Former Vice Chancellor, Punjab University will be the Chairman of the Search Committee.
Two eminent academicians namely Prof. Pardeshi Lal, Vice Chancellor, Nagaland University and Prof. Anil Kumar Tyagi, Former Vice Chancellor, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi were also nominated as two nominee of University Council in the search committee.
It wouldn’t be out of place to mention here that JK Global News has carried series of news items and editorial highlighting the anarchy prevailing in JU over delay in formation of search committee for selection of VC and resentment prevailing among the teaching fraternity against the continuance of Prof. Dhar as Vice Chancellor despite expiry of his 3 years term in the month of July.
As per the communication of LG office bearing order No:GS-3 (Appt-VC)/JU/2018/794-797 dated 12/2/2021 issued by Principal Secretary to LG, Nitishwar Kumar, the 3 years term of incumbent Vice Chancellor of Jammu University, Prof. Manoj Kumar Dhar has expired on July 24th, 2021.
For unknown reasons, the LG secretariat delay formation of search committee for almost 5 months resulting in allegations of favouritism and nepotism in day to day functioning of JU. Commencement of interviews for selection of Professors and Associate Professors by Prof. Dhar despite expiry of his term has raised eyebrows of everyone in the JU.
With the announcement of search committee, the LG should intervene and halt interview process which was started by the incumbent VC to fill nearly 20 vacant posts of teachers after the expiry of his term in July this year, said a senior Professor of JU.
“When term of head of institution has expired since 24th, July, there is every possibility of corruption, favouritism and nepotism in conduct of interviews and selection” said JU faculty member who also served as Registrar in the campus.
Confiding anonymity a senior officer of JU administration said “Prof. Dhar seems to be in hurry to conclude selection process of teachers despite knowing that his term as VC expired without extension on July 24th, 2021″
The academicians and stake holders in Jammu University has sought intervention of LG Manoj Sinha to put on hold the selection process to several posts of teachers as well as assistant registrar till the appointment of new VC.
It would not be out of place to mention here that there are wide ranging allegations against Prof. Dhar for executing several significant tasks in cahoot with coterie of sycophants besides appointing juniors to head vital posts at the cost of deserving and senior most faculty members during his 3 years tenure as VC.
From creation of post to adjust his favorite to frequent shuffling of Registrars, Controller of Examination, Director Colleges Development, Director Distance Education and appointing in charge Librarian ignoring deserving faculty members is just tip of an ice berg. There are also allegations against Prof. Dhar for reckless and shady utilisation of Rs 33 crore released as first installment of sanctioned Rs 100 crore funds under RUSA.