VC’s appointment under lens; PMO receives plaint

Vishal Joshi

Tribune News Service

Kurukshetra, March 1

A complaint of alleged favouritism in appointing Rajbir Singh as the Vice Chancellor of State University of Performing and Visual Arts, Rohtak, has been filed with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Singh took charge as the VC yesterday.

The complainant, Ashutosh Mishra, is a Dean at a private university in Punjab. Mishra was earlier a faculty member at Kurukshetra University’s Institute of Mass Communication and Media Technology

In his complaint lodged on the PMO’s web portal yesterday, Mishra alleged Singh was appointed as the VC even though he was facing an investigation by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). The probe pertains to Singh’s five-year tenure (starting in 2012) as the Director of the UGC’s Consortium for Educational Communication.

He further said he had, on November 16 last year, submitted a communication, backed by records, to the Governor (the ex officio Chancellor of the KU), the CM, the Education Minister, the Chief Secretary, and other ministers and bureaucrats attached with the CM’s office. In spite of this, Singh’s name was cleared as the VC.

“Singh had a clout with members of a search committee. I had stated in my communication that biased members may consider his name. Even as I had submitted details questioning Singh’s professional credentials, the Haryana Government and officials ignored the facts,” Mishra said.

“In my representation to the Haryana authorities, I had referred to a case by me against Rajbir Singh in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. In 2007, Singh was appointed as professor in the KU’s IMCMT in violation of rules. He did not have mandatory teaching experience of 10 years. Before joining the KU, he was a regular employee in the Haryana’s Public Relations Department,” he told The Tribune today. Later, Singh joined the UGC’s CEC.

“Due to his political clout, Singh managed to get the top position despite a Vigilance inquiry pending against him,” he alleged. When Singh was asked about the allegations, he termed them baseless. “Mishra is a habitual litigant who tarnishes reputation. He has filed frivolous cases and complaints against several professionals, including me, for unknown reasons. I have nothing to say on the unfounded accusations,” he added.

Allegations baseless, says Rajbir Singh

The allegations are baseless. Ashutosh Mishra (the complainant) is a habitual litigant who tarnishes reputation. He has filed frivolous cases and complaints against several professionals, including me, for unknown reasons. I have nothing to say on the unfounded accusations — Rajbir Singh, VC, State University of Performing and Visual Arts, Rohtak