Established to serve as a centre of inclusive education, Cluster University of Jammu is facing growing criticism over cushioned postings, favouritism, and unjustified delay in appointments to key statutory posts.
Not only this, the university is hoging limelight for becoming a preferred destination for some college teachers seeking prolonged deputations and attachments.
At the centre of the concern is the continued vacancy of important posts including Registrar, Controller of Examinations and Director Sports, all of which are meant to be filled through direct selections. However, since the university was established in 2016, these positions have largely been handled through adhoc arrangements. Currently, Prof. Ranvijay Singh is holding the charge of CoE, while Vinod Bakshi, a retired officer of the Higher Education Department, is engaged as Director of Physical Education.
Discontent has also surfaced over the functioning of the Registrar’s office. Unlike Cluster University of Kashmir, where the post is held through a regular selection process, this crucial office is being managed by a non-academic officer on transfer basis. Many within academic circles have termed it as encroachment over their domain and attributes it as a stumbling block in smooth functioning of varsity.
Further coming down heavily against the Higher Education Department for repeated extensions in deputation of Principals, especially teachers on non-teaching assignments in CLUJ, the critics point out, “This practice is suicidal for academics in government colleges”.
Sordid state of affairs prevailing in HED where Principals and teachers continuosly remain on deputation far beyond defined tenure in CLUJ while several GDCs across Jammu province are functioning without regular heads as well as facing severe shortage of teachers“, quip an official of HED.
It is learnt that Prof. Zuber, after a very brief posting at GDC Kastigarh in 2020 as Incharge Principal, was deputed in CLUJ as Dean and since then has remained entrenched in the varsity till date, far beyond his original deputation period. Another, college faculty D.S.Manhas who is believed to be known for city postings also completed 5 years in CLUJ handling non teaching assignments.
Similar is the fate of senior Principals -Prof. Satinder Kour, Chander Shekhar, Prof. Ranvijay Singh, and Prof. Monika Sharma stated to have been deputed by HED.
On the hand, the repeated deputation of Prof. Twinkle Suri in and out of CLUJ and JKBOSE has also drawn attention within academic and administrative echelons. Last year she was deputed again to CLUJ by HED through a very interesting order which unprecedently mentioned designation as Dean Academic Affairs along with tenure of one year, said a teacher of GCW, Gandhi Nagar wishing anonymity.
“Normally, the HED deputes faculty for minimum 2 years and allotment of designation for workload is purely the domain of CLUJ authorities, but in this case the authority of the Vice Chancellor was allegedly encroached upon by HED, which is erosion of institutional autonomy,” said reliable sources in HED.
“Prior to elevation as Principal, Prof. Twinkle remained ingrained for 7 long years in CLUJ and again the HED generously deputed her in CLUJ after a brief stint in GDC Samba, added the sources.
Allegations have also come flying thick and fast against adjustment of a few influential teaching faculty in CLUJ on self-created posts of Directors which nowhere exist in the rule books of the varsity. The teachers allegedly favored on these Director posts include Meenakshi Chib and Dr. Shafia. Not only this, some college teachers including Sugandha Mahajan, Rajesh and Ashiq Hussain are also stated to have been accommodated in the varsity on non-teaching posts which nowhere exist in the statutes of CLUJ.
Faculty members allege that instead of addressing these issues afflicting the CLUJ, the administration has shifted its focus towards large-scale construction works involving several hundred crore rupees. A group of teachers from GGM Science College , speaking on condition of anonymity, called for an audit of infrastructure spending on the name of establishment of CLUJ.
“It is strange to see an institution originally conceived to utilize the manpower and infrastructure of constituent colleges becoming deeply absorbed in creating a haphazard jungle of concrete buildings,” one senior faculty member said, also expressing concern over alleged defacement of the heritage campus of the erstwhile Prince of Wales College.
Reliable sources in CLUJ said the mess in the functioning of the varsity is wide and large and that matters pertaining to hiring of non-teaching staff and alleged reckless use of local funds could emerge as a major scandal in the coming days.
Teachers warn that unless the Higher Education Department reviews the pattern of postings and restores transparent appointments, the credibility and academic environment of the CLUJ could suffer further.
The Commissioner Secretary, HED, remained unavailable for comment despite repeated calls and a WhatsApp message. However, Dr. K.S.Chandrashekhar, V-C CLUJ in conversation with JKGN claimed that three key vacant posts would be filled during his tenure. While admitting that several college teachers attached with varsity are handling non-teaching assignments as Directors and Convenors, he maintained that these positions do not exist in the statutes.
On the prolonged deputation of Principals serving as Deans, VC emphatically said, “This prevailing practice would end soon as faculty posts were being advertised for direct recruitment, with selected faculty also expected to serve as Deans on the pattern of other universities”.