Student body seeks probe into Himachal Pradesh University professors’ appointments
Shimla, July 11
The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) Himachal Pradesh Committee here today demanded a judicial inquiry into the matter related to the appointment of professors in Himachal Pradesh University.
Addressing the mediapersons during a press conference, SFI state secretary Dinit Denta said the authority to appoint teachers in the university lies with the Executive Council (EC) and it had delegated these powers to the Vice-Chancellor. However, the EC cannot grant such authority to the Vice-Chancellor. If the EC does so, it will be considered against Section 12(c) of the HP University Act.
“Petitions have been filed in the High Court regarding these appointments. The petitioners alleged that in its meeting, the EC passed a proposal granting these powers to the Vice-Chancellor. The High Court had declared the appointments of two Associate Professors from the Mathematics Department and one Assistant Professor as null and void,” he said.
Denta said the irregularities have been made in the appointment of approximately 250 teachers and 400 non-teaching staff in the university. Allegations in the petitions suggested that appointments were made based on forged research papers during the selection process.
He further claimed that for the V-C and Member of Rajya Sabha Professor Sikandar Kumar allegedly appointed a large number of outsourced employees at the Computer Centre.
He said the SFI demands that a commission should be established to thoroughly investigate the entire recruitment process. This commission should be composed of impartial members with expertise in administration, law, and academia. A First Information Report (FIR) should be registered against Dr Sikandar Kumar for his alleged involvement in these irregular appointments and legal action should be taken based on the findings of the investigation. SFI also demanded the cancellation of Kumar’s Rajya Sabha membership.
Denta said as the Chancellor of the University, Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla should initiate a comprehensive inquiry into these appointments to uphold the integrity and standards of the university. “The SFI will also file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in court against these wrongful appointments at the university,” he added.
