NEHU VC resumes duty from Delhi after 3-month leave; teachers body questions legitimacy

NEW DELHI: North-Eastern Hill University’s vice-chancellor, Prabha Shankar Shukla, has reportedly rejoined his position but remotely, from Delhi. Shukla has been on leave since November 15, 2024. The university’s teachers’ association, NEHUTA, has strongly opposed his claim of resuming office without being physically present at the university’s headquarters in Shillong.

On March 3, Shukla informed the acting registrar that he had resumed duty. However, he stated he would remain in Delhi for official work until March 5. NEHUTA stated that a Vice-Chancellor cannot "resume office" without physically returning to the university's headquarters in Shillong and his actions violate the Government of India’s Central Service Leave Rules.

“By flagrantly violating NEHU Act, Statutes, Ordinances and Government of India’s rules, of which Prof. Shukla is supposed to be the custodian for its proper observance, he claims to be on official tour and apparently claims to have resumed his duty when he has never joined in the Headquarter of NEHU at Shillong,” association said.

NEHUTA further alleged in its statement that Shukla had repeatedly failed to report back to Shillong after his leave and questioned the legitimacy of his claim. “In spite of his repeated irregular earned leave application from which he never joined his duties, his claim that he resumed his duties sounds totally out of order, as he remains away from the headquarter” the NEHUTA statement said.

‘Joining virtually is unacceptable’: NEHUTA President

According to NEHUTA President Lakhon Kma, the fundamental issue lies in the VC's failure to report back to his headquarters in Shillong after his leave period. Instead, he has claimed to have resumed his duties while remaining in Delhi, which is against the Government of India’s Central Service Leave Rules.

"That is highly illegal, if you are on earn leave you have to join in the station. We have made our stand very clear. You cannot join after your leave is over from some other place virtually. That is totally unacceptable. The leave rule says that one has to join the forenoon, the afternoon, there is a format, which has to be submitted. For us he has not joined," said Lakhon Kma.

Inquiry findings remain undisclosed

The association also raised concerns over an inquiry into alleged irregularities under Shukla’s tenure, questioning how he could claim to have resumed duties when the findings of the inquiry have not been disclosed.

The teachers’ body further alleged that certain sections were enabling Shukla’s claim despite his continued absence from the headquarters. They warned that such actions could lead to confusion and administrative disorder. NEHUTA condemned what it described as an arbitrary move by the vice-chancellor and insisted that the university must function within the framework of its governing statutes rather than individual authority. Reaffirming its stand, NEHUTA rejected Shukla’s claim of resumption.