Shillong, May 12: The non-teaching staff of North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), represented by the North Eastern Hill University Non-Teaching Staff Association (NEHUNSA), has written to the Secretary, Ministry of Education, Government of India expressing its deep concerned about the ongoing issues affecting our esteemed University over the past several months.
NEHUNSA mentioned that the working environment has been severely disrupted, adversely impacting day-to-day activities. This decline is primarily due to the dwindling number of employees who are essential for ensuring the smooth operation of the University while addressing the needs of students, faculty, and staff.
Currently, the University is being operated with only 186 regular non-teaching staff members out of a sanctioned strength of 526 across all categories. It is to be noted that every effort is being made to maintain stability with the help of motivated casual employees, but fears that the efforts may soon falter due to the increasing rate of retirements. Furthermore, the rightful time-bound promotions for deserving employees have been unjustly denied.
NEHUNSA have been advocating for the prompt recruitment of non-teaching staff for several years, yet the legitimate requests have not been addressed by Professor P.S. Shukla, Vice-Chancellor of NEHU. His lack of engagement with the concerns is evident; instead, he appears more focused on personal advancement and favouritism towards his close associates.
Additionally, his prolonged absences from the Shillong campus (the headquarters) are viewed as failures in addressing the needs of the NEHU community. In November 2024, he moved his office permanently to a different state located 100 kilometres away from the headquarters, which he claims is his camp office.
However, this arrangement does not align with the Acts and Statutes of our University and seems designed for his convenience, distancing him from the visibility and accountability required by NEHU employees.
Currently, the University is functioning without a constitutional head who is authorized to make decisions for the welfare of the University community. Such a Vice-Chancellor is counterproductive and damaging to the institution, as indicated by the negative impact on the National Institutional Rankings Framework (NIRF) since he took charge.
This scenario is unprecedented in NEHU’s history, as previous Vice-Chancellors have never chosen to abandon the headquarters in such a manner. This behavior reflects a shortsightedness that jeopardizes the careers of local populations.
If Professor P.S. Shukla continues as Vice-Chancellor, we fear ongoing harm to the academic aspirations of students pursuing higher education at our University and its affiliated colleges, the letter was sign by Millford Thangkhiew President and Dr. Danny M. Synnah General Secretary.
