“VC must use discretionary powers judiciously for growth of institution instead of installing his yes man everywhere” –JU sources
JAMMU: Library Committee constituted recently by Jammu University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Manoj Kumar Dhar came under sharp criticism from academicians in campus for not including a single expert of concerned subject in it.
As per the order No-Estab/21/297-396 dated 06-04-2021 issued by Registrar, the VC constituted Library Committee comprising of 14 members for triennial period (2021-24) for purpose of managing affairs of Library as per university Act.
These members includes four Faculty Deans from Business Studies, Law, Life Sciences and Science, three heads of PG Departments-English, Mathematics and Education, three college Principals, two members not associated with JU or colleges, Registrar of JU and Librarian.
The grapevine; however is that in this entire list of 14 members, the Vice-Chancellor didn’t fit it appropriate to include even a single person having professional expertise on the subject matter. This despite the fact that JU have Department of Library Sciences which offers Post Graduate, Graduate and others research course. For sake of eyewash, the Librarian was made member secretary of committee who interestingly belongs to faculty of Management Department. Professor Versha Mehta of Business School is currently holding additional charge of Librarian.
Favouritism is running rampant in JU administration, said an officer of JU on condition of anonymity. Further elaborating alleged instances of favouritism, the officer further said “There are endless instances of favouritism. To begin with Anik Gupta, who is just a graduate by qualification was installed as Director IT bypassing several highly qualified and senior teaching faculty. Similarly, while constituting Campus Cultural Committe, the VC prefer to appoint juniors as Chairperson and Co-chairperson ingoring many seniormost professors. Prof. Sanjana Koul, spouse of VC Prof Dhar was adjusted as Co-chairperson in the CCC. Not only this, even the Registrar of JU Prof. Arvind Jasrotia was made member of JU Council ignoring many senior faculty despite the fact that Registar is a defacto member secretary of Council.”
Insiders in JU told JKGN “This is a damaging practice which except chaos would yield nothing good for betterment of varsity and its stakeholders”.
If fruitless exercise like Beehives culture, Basket making and Mushroom cultivation which enjoys mastery among illiterates in our villages can earned considerable leverage in A++ NAAC accredited institute of higher learning then any damn thing could happen in the campus of JU, sarcastically avers one Professor.
Teachers in varsity alleged that Library Committee without a single member having requisite qualification and experience in the concerned subject is a mockery as well as abuse of power.
Academicians in JU are of the view that that Library Committee is a significant body and plays a crucial role in institution of higher learning. They further stated that, if the same is devoid of any subject matter expert then it fails to yield the desired results and only smack of something fishy in this entire exercise.
Reliable sources in JU said “It’s convenient to get things executed as per whims and fancies with presence of favorite as Librarian on tentative basis. This practice assumes more significance when purchases worth crores are done on annual basis in Library of JU”. Otherwise, who prefers to keep crucial post of Librarian in JU vacant for such a long time, added sources?
Clarifying on the issue, the official spokes person of JU Vinay Thusso said “The committee has been constituted “strictly” as per the varsity Act and Statutes and the authority can co-opt the experts as members as and when meeting of the Library Committee is held”