Noose tightens around CUJ VC
Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Oct 22: In the purported manipulation of the Reservation Roster for recruitment of Teaching positions in Central University of Jammu, noose is further tightening around the incumbent Vice-Chancellor as the National Commission for Scheduled Castes has also taken serious cognizance of swapping of reserved positions with un-reserved and initiated inquiry into the matter.
Acting on complaints, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes has asked the CUJ Vice-Chancellor to submit information on the action taken on the matter within 15 days or face summons for appearance in person before the Commission.
“In case the Commission does not receive reply from you (Vice-Chancellor CUJ) within the stipulated time, the Commission may exercise the powers of Civil Court conferred on it under Article 338 of the Constitution of India and issue summons for your appearance in person or by a representative before the Commission,” reads the strongly worded communiqué issued by the NCSC.
Seriousness on the part of National Commission for Scheduled Castes over the matter can be gauged from the fact that the said communiqué has also been addressed to the Secretary, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of School Education Development, New Delhi thus holding MHRD also indirectly responsible for the alleged violation of Reservation Roster.
Pertinent to mention that the Excelsior, in its October 8 issue, had carried an exclusive report on violation of Reservation Roster in recruitment for teaching positions in the Central University of Jammu, following which the National Commission For Backward Classes (NCBC) has already initiated investigation into the matter. The National Commission for Backward Classes had directed the CUJ Registrar to send factual report along with the approved Roster Policy by the university in recruitment of teaching positions for further investigation into the matter.
However, the cognizance taken by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes is likely to be more worrisome for the CUJ authorities as a clear warning of punitive action has been issued in the strong worded communiqué, addressed to the university Vice-Chancellor and Secretary MHRD, a copy of which is in the possession of the Excelsior.
In the complaint , which prompted the Commission to initiate investigation, it has been alleged that the reserved category positions were swapped with un-reserved for some undefined interests and the fixed Roster Points were either manipulated or deliberately shifted.
The Commission has been apprised that change in the Roster does not have the approval of competent bodies. “In compliance with Resolution number 10 of the 2nd meeting of the Executive Council, dated 14-01-2013, the Central University of Jammu had approved the Reservation Roster of 200 points. According, till 2014, the University advertised the posts of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and Professor as per the approved Roster. However, in the recently advertised posts for the vacant positions of Assistant Professors, Associate Professors and Professors in various departments of the CUJ, the approved Roster was modified and manipulated to suit the interest of favourite candidates. The positions approved and the positions advertised are in contravention of the guidelines of the UGC and the Government of India,” says the complaint adding that the same positions were advertised sometimes as Un-Reserved and sometimes as any of the category positions like SC/ST/OBC thus manipulating the status of Roster and also causing colossal damage to the interest of eligible Schedule Caste candidates against various positions.
Pertinent that once the Roster is approved by the University Council as per the procedure stipulated by the Government of India and advertisement is made accordingly, the status of the positions contrary to the approved roster cannot be changed by the Vice-Chancellor on his own. It is an offence and criminal act of irregularity.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
