Assam Governor suspends vice-chancellor of Dibrugarh University for misconduct, abuse of power

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GUWAHATI:

Assam Governor-cum-Chancellor of Dibrugarh University, Jagdish Mukhi has suspended vice-chancellor Ranjit Tamuli following the submission of a report by the fact-finding committee which stated that it “found prima facie a case of grave misconduct, abuse of power and lack of commitment on the part of the vice-chancellor.”

According to a statement from the Raj Bhavan on Thursday, Prof R.N.S Yadav from the department of life sciences has been handed over the charge of the VC’s post temporarily until further orders.

Earlier, the Dibrugarh University Teachers’ Association, Dibrugarh University Officers’ Association, Dibrugarh University Employees’ Association and Rituparna Baruah, MLA of Lahowal legislative assembly constituency (LAC), submitted petitions to the Governor-cum-Chancellor, stating gross allegations of financial anomalies and misappropriation of funds against Tamuli.

“Not satisfied with the explanation of Prof Ranjit Tamuli, the Governor-cum-Chancellor, to find out the veracity of the allegations and find out the facts, constituted a fact-finding committee under the chairmanship of the commissioner and secretary (higher education department) to the government of Assam Preetom Saikia and commissioner of Upper Assam Division Moloy Bora, assisted by experts from the directorate of forensic science, Kahilipara,” the statement said.

Dibrugarh University Teachers' Association members statge a protest on the campus of Dibrugarh University recently.

“Acting on the report of the fact-finding committee, the Governor, in his capacity as the Chancellor of the Dibrugarh University, and consideration of facts and materials available on record and placed before him found prima facie a case of grave misconduct, abuse of power and lack of commitment on the part of Prof. Ranjit Tamuli, VC of Dibrugarh University. Therefore, the Chancellor has put Prof. Ranjit Tamuli on suspension with immediate effect,” it said.

The Chancellor also appointed a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the functioning of the university over the last five years, focusing especially on financial transactions, financial administration, corruption, discipline, misuse of funds, misuse of powers among other aspects of university governance.

“The decision for immediate suspension (of VC Prof Tamuli) has been taken to ensure that witnesses are not influenced or coerced, and material records of the university are not tampered with in any manner and for ensuring a fair inquiry,” the statement added.

(Edited by Ladiangti Rani)

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