Meghalaya youth body protests outside NEHU VC Office, demands resignation of VC-in-Charge

The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) staged a protest outside the office of the Vice-Chancellor of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), demanding the resignation of Vice-Chancellor-in-Charge Prof Saroj Kanta Barik.

The HYC alleged that Prof Barik’s appointment as VC-in-Charge violated provisions of the NEHU Act, claiming that the senior-most professor should have been given charge of the university.

The organisation questioned the process followed in appointing Prof Barik and demanded that the issue be addressed in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

HYC leaders said they would meet Prof Barik to discuss the matter and decide their next course of action based on the outcome of the meeting.

The Centre has approved handing over the charge of Vice-Chancellor of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) to Prof Saroj Kanta Barik, the second senior-most professor at the university's Department of Botany, after the tenure of the incumbent Vice-Chancellor ends on July 26.

According to an order issued by the Ministry of Education on July 22, the President of India, in her capacity as the Visitor of NEHU, approved the proposal for Barik to assume charge until a new vice-chancellor takes office.

The order, addressed to the NEHU Registrar, states that Barik will take over the responsibilities of the vice-chancellor following the expiry of Shukla's term, ensuring continuity in the university's administration while the appointment process for a regular vice-chancellor is completed.