JAMMU: The authority in Jammu University has geared its men and machinery to clear promotion case of Dr. Meghna Dhar , Assistant Professor in department of Library Science despite being flagged for alleged potential “manipulations” pertaining to publication of Research work in online Journal by a member of Tier-1 (CAS) committee.
The Tier-1 committee assesses the genuineness of undertaking furnished by teachers in PBAS (Performance Based Assessment Sheet) pertaining publications and research papers for promotion under Career Advancement Schemes.
Last month, the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Manoj Dhar has constituted a 3 member committee comprising Registrar, Prof. Arvind Jasrotia (Convenor), Prof. K.S.Charak and Prof. Rahul to ascertain the objections raised by Prof. Sangeeta Gupta, Head of Library Science Department in Tier 1 meeting held in the year 2020.
Terming this committee as an eyewash exercise, Reliable sources told JK Global News “The committee is tutored and framed with preset mind as it submit report citing existence of research papers of Dr Meghna on online Journal by ignoring the grave irregularities cited by Prof. Gupta pertaining to its genuineness”
Sharing a letter dashed by Prof. Sangeeta Gupta to VC, the sources in Registrar office said “The VC needs to avoid over enthusiasm in clearing promotion case of Prof. Meghna deliberately over sighting substantial evidences available against the claims mentioned in PBAS and raised itself by a senior faculty member of varsity”
It’s learnt that during course of inquiry, the committee has neither sought any evidences from the teacher in question (proof of online transfer of fees and communication with publishers of online Journal in the year 2014) nor did it verify the facts highlighted by Prof. Gupta in its findings.
It’s an open case of favoritism which is evident from the fact that no strenuous endeavor was made by the committee to confirm whether the research paper was uploaded on online journal in 2014 or in the year 2020, alleged JU sources adding, “The Jammu University wants to set a new trend in institutions of higher learning by granting promotions based on academic frauds and manipulations”
Prof. Meghna Dhar promotion to senior Assistant Professor was due in 2014 but due to deficiency in API scores (Academic Performance Indicator), it was rejected at screening stage by the Screening Committee of Tier-I in its meeting held on 2016 and 2018.
In Tier-I Screening Committee held on 5/11/2020, Prof. Sangeeta Gupta, while rejecting case of Dr. Dhar for promotion on ground of deficiencies in API score highlighted tempering in PBAS Performa and recommended investigation into the matter.
However, lobby close to VC instead of investigating the academic impropriety trying hard to approve case of promotion ignoring the facts that research work was uploaded in 2020 whereas it was shown as backdated 2014 in online Journal through manipulation to cover up her API score deficiency merely to manage promotion benefits since 2014, alleged academicians in JU maintaining anonymity.
The level of favouritism and nepotism in case of Prof. Meghna Dhar is evident from the fact that the Tier-2 committee for CAS has recommended her promotion case to Dean Academic Affairs Prof. Naresh Padha in absence of one its member Prof. Sangeeta who has pointed grave irregularities in PBAS of the beneficiary teacher in 2020.
Prof. Meghna Dhar claimed that her research work title “Use of Resources and Services with special reference to College of Engineering: A Study” was published in online Journal namely Asian Resonance in the year 2014 which is interestingly missing in the hard copy of same Journal (volume 2014) which is in possession of JK Global News.
Strangely, Dr Dhar also remained reluctant to furnish required information sought Prof. Gupta vide office letter DLS/21/247-252 dated 13/08/2021 pertaining to its claim of authentication of online journal dated 2014. “If claim is genuine why playing hide and seek over the matter. Promotion is right of a teacher but it cannot be granted as token of favor sans merits, asserted a senior officer of JU.
Expressing astonishment over the manner working of Internal Quality Assurance Cell which is evaluating Dr. Meghna case of promotion, JU professor on condition of anonymity said “Instead of punishing for committing grave irregularities, the JU is all set to reward applicant which will encourage all future prospective teachers to adopt such short cut methods for earning retrospective effects of promotions under CAS”.
Clarifying on the issue telephonically, Prof.Meghna Dhar said that there is no manipulation committed by her pertaining to online publication of reasearch work. “There are some elements in JU who are envious of my research work and thus devising ways and means to harass me” said Prof. Meghna. If my reasearch work is not reflected in physical copy of Journal published in 2014, then it’s mistake of the publisher not mine, she added.
However, Prof. Naresh Padha, Dean Accademic Affairs clarified that the matter is still under investigation and will be settled on merits .