IMPHAL, March 26: Anomalies in selection and appointment of three college principals by the Government on November 14, 2014, have surfaced through RTI findings, a press release of the All Manipur College Teachers`™ Association, AMCTA, said.
The press statement signed by Ch. Rajen Singh, General Secretary, AMCTA, stated that Dr Md. Rahejuddin Sheikh, Dr A. Nabachandra Singh and Dr E. Nixon`™s appointment as college principals violated the UGC guidelines.
The RTI query was made as per the understanding reached between the AMCTA and the Government, represented by the Chief Minister and Education Minister on March 17, the release said.
Elaborating on the findings, the release said the UGC Regulations, 2010 n clause 4.2.0.(ii), so also the MPSC advertisement release in accordance for the selection and appointment of these principals said that research guidance is an essential qualification of the candidates.
The release said one of the appointed principals, Dr. Md. Rahejuddin Sheikh, does not have this qualification.
Dr. Sheikh was awarded API score of 30, but this score can only be if the research project results in a patented technology etc, in the case of sciences, and Dr. Sheikh`™s assignment as nodal officer in connection with setting up of D.M. Community College, cannot be considered equivalent to a research project, the AMCTA release contended.
Similarly, Dr. E. Nixon`™s project of `Application of Physical Methods in Studies of Ancient Iron Smelting Culture of Manipur`, is certified by S. Bheigya Singh, former joint director Art & Culture, but the certificate has no official memo number or date of issue, the AMCTA release said.
In the case of Dr. A Nabachandra Singh, who obtained API score of 10 in two Ph.D degrees he is said to have obtained, the university which gave him these degrees, the CMJ University, Meghalaya, is not recognized by the Government of Manipur.
The AMCTA release said the organization strongly feels that the irregularities in the screening process of the above candidates will adversely affect and discourage the healthy academic advancement in the state especially among the college teachers.
Hence, AMCTA demands review and cancellation of the said appointment letters of the Government Orders No. 7(2)/6/2003-HE dated 14/11/2014, in the larger interest of the higher education in the state, it said.
The AMCTA had suspended its cease work strike till the March 31, awaiting a positive response from the Government, indicating after this date, if no action is taken, the AMCTA will have to decide on further course of action.