HT Digital,
GUWAHATI, Dec 1: Tezpur University’s prolonged leadership vacuum has drawn national attention after the Ministry of Education confirmed in the Lok Sabha on Dec 1 that the Vice-Chancellor has been absent since September 22, raising concern about the institution’s administrative stability. The issue surfaced through a question by MP Pradyut Bordoloi, who sought clarity on the Government’s intervention and the findings of the ongoing inquiry.
The Ministry stated that Central Universities operate under their own Acts and Statutes, explaining that the Tezpur University Act, 1993 mandates the Pro-Vice-Chancellor to step in when the Vice-Chancellor’s office falls vacant. In the absence of a Pro-VC, the responsibility shifts to the senior-most professor until the Vice-Chancellor resumes duty or a new appointment is made. This temporary arrangement, however, has not eased the growing unrest among students and faculty concerned about administrative delays and stalled decisions affecting academics, recruitment, and campus systems.
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The Ministry also confirmed that the Fact-Finding Committee set up by the Governor of Assam, who is the ex-officio Chancellor of the university, has already submitted its report. While the report’s contents remain with the Governor, the inquiry was prompted by allegations over irregularities in guard appointments, suspected labour law violations, and questionable procurement processes involving library books and e-resources. The allegations include inflated quotations, irregular tendering, and possible vendor collusion—issues that have been widely discussed within the campus corridors.
Questions were also raised about whether a Central team had inspected the campus to assess the administrative situation. The Ministry’s reply noted the autonomous nature of Central Universities but refrained from detailing any such visit.
As the stalemate continues, Tezpur University awaits decisive action. The absence of the Vice-Chancellor for over two months has sparked concerns over governance, transparency, and academic continuity, making this one of the most closely watched higher-education developments in Assam today.
