SHILLONG: The ongoing turmoil at the North Eastern Hills University (NEHU) has officially reached the highest legislative body. Today, during the Lok Sabha Winter Session, Shillong MP, Dr. Ricky AJ Syngkon, brought the severe administrative crisis gripping the university to the floor of the Parliament.
Dr. Syngkon expressed his grave concern to the Ministry of Education, highlighting the alarming situation at Meghalaya’s oldest central institution. He revealed the astonishing fact that the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of NEHU, Prof. Prabha Sankar Shukla, has been absent from duty for a staggering 392 consecutive days.
”Through you, I would like to bring to the notice of the Ministry of Education regarding one serious matter concerning the oldest higher education institute of Meghalaya, the North Eastern Hills University.”
”It is sad to note that the NEHU VC Prof Prabha Shankar Shukla has not come to work for 392 days, yet he continues to draw his salary and continues to interfere with the functioning of NEHU,” Dr. Syngkon stated.
The MP stressed that the VC’s actions have plunged the academic institution into a deep crisis.
Presenting a strong case for urgent intervention, Dr. Syngkon made two clear and forceful demands to the Central Government:
”Therefore, I put forth a request, through you, for the removal of this Vice-Chancellor,” he demanded.
He also pointed out that an Inquiry Team was constituted over a year ago to probe allegations of misuse of power by the VC, yet the report has not been released to date.
The MP urged the Ministry to immediately release this inquiry report and, for the betterment of the University, “The Government should remove this VC and appoint a new VC.”
The appointment of a new VC, he argued, would save the University from its current troubles and allow it to resume proper teaching and research activities.
It is important to note that the North-Eastern Hill University Teachers’ Association (NEHUTA) and the North-Eastern Hill University Students’ Union (NEHUSU) have been long-time critics of VC Prof. Shukla.
The groups accuse the VC of financial mismanagement, including the alleged subversion of Pro-VC appointments and outsourcing work to external agencies. Crucially, they have consistently alleged that Prof. Shukla has been absent from Shillong for over a year (operating from Guwahati or on leave), severely impacting the University’s operations.
With the allegations against the VC now ringing loudly in the Lok Sabha, the pressure is mounting on the Central Government to take decisive action and end the paralyzing crisis at NEHU.
