Tuesday, December 22, 2009

NEHU staff gherao VC

SHILLONG, Dec 22: The row between the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) teaching and non-teaching staff over withdrawal of the Hill Area Special Allowance (HASA) has taken a new turn with the teaching and non-teaching staff of the varsity picking on the Vice Chancellor (VC) for alleged misbehaviour of his personal security officer (PSO) with them. Source said, during the debate between the NEHU teaching and non-teaching staff with the Vice Chancellor today, the PSO’s alleged misconduct prompted the agitating staff to gherao the Vice Chancellor and to demand his resignation.

The spokesperson of the Joint Action Committee (JAC), which is spearheading the agitation by the teaching and non-teaching staff of the university, AK Baruah said, ‘Today’s unfortunate incident will be reported to the Ministry of HRD”, adding, “The VC’s arbitrary decision to deprive the teachers of HASA is against the constitution of NEHU because anything related to emoluments of the staff of universities should be amended subject to approval of the Academic Council which is the apex body and is comprised of members representing different forums, including students, MPs and representatives of teachers.” Today’s incident on the NEHU campus also attracted the attention of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU). Union president Samuel Jyrwa had a discussion with the VC on the issue of HASA and the campus incident.

Meanwhile, the NEHUSA and NEHUTA have vowed to continue their protests if the NEHU authorities do not accede to their demands before Christmas and may even seek the State Government’s intervention in the matter. THE SENTINEL

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