Shillong, May 12: The North Eastern Hill University Non-Teaching Staff Association (NEHUNSA) has written to the Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Government of India, expressing serious concern over what it described as an administrative and staffing crisis affecting North Eastern Hill University (NEHU).
In a press statement signed by NEHUNSA President Millford Thangkhiew and General Secretary Dr. Danny M. Synnah, the association alleged that the working environment in the university has been severely affected over the past several months, disrupting day-to-day functioning and impacting the academic atmosphere on campus.
According to the association, a severe shortage of employees has created difficulties in maintaining smooth operations and meeting the needs of students, faculty members, and staff. NEHUNSA stated that the university is currently functioning with only 186 regular non-teaching staff members against a sanctioned strength of 526 posts across various categories. The association said that although casual employees have been helping maintain stability in the institution, the situation is becoming increasingly difficult due to the rising number of retirements. It also alleged that several deserving employees have been denied their rightful time-bound promotions.
Further, NEHUNSA claimed that repeated appeals for the recruitment of non-teaching staff have failed to receive attention from Vice-Chancellor Professor P.S. Shukla. The association accused the Vice-Chancellor of failing to address the concerns of employees and alleged that he has focused more on personal interests and favouritism towards close associates. NEHUNSA also objected to the Vice-Chancellor’s prolonged absence from the Shillong campus, which serves as the headquarters of the university. According to the association, since November 2024, the Vice-Chancellor has allegedly been functioning from a camp office located in another state, around 100 kilometres away from the university headquarters. The association claimed that such an arrangement does not conform to the Acts and Statutes governing the university and has distanced the Vice-Chancellor from accountability and visibility within the university community.
NEHUNSA further alleged that the university is currently functioning without a constitutional head capable of taking decisions for the welfare of the institution. It claimed that the prevailing administrative situation has adversely impacted the university’s overall performance, including its standing in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).
Warning of serious consequences if the situation continues, the association said the ongoing issues could negatively affect the academic aspirations of students studying at the university and its affiliated colleges.
