MoE withdraws NIT Kurukshetra director's powers; forms panel to review working of institute

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Education has withdrawn the administrative and financial powers of the Director at National Institute of Technology (NIT), Kurukshetra, and set up a high-level panel to review the functioning and leadership of the institution, according to officials. NIT Kurkukshetra Director BV Ramanna Reddy did not respond to queries on the issue. "A three-member panel has been formed to review the work, progress and affairs of NIT Kurukshera and the leadership role of the Director.

The panel will examine the overall functioning of the institute, including governance, academic and administrative functioning and review issues relating to recruitment and promotion processes, handling of staff grievances, and complaints forwarded by the Central Vigilance Commission and other agencies," a senior MoE official said.

"While the enquiry is pending, the Director's administrative and financial powers have been withdrawn. The panel has been asked to submit its report within a month," the official added.

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NIT Kurukshetra: New panel to review functioning

The panel will be headed by Anil Sahasrabudhe, chairman of the National Education Technology Forum (NETF). The other two members of the panel are M Madan Gopal, chairperson of board of governors, VNIT, Nagpur and KK Shukla, Director of MANIT, Bhopal.

"The committee will also assess institutional performance, including decline in NIRF rankings, prolonged vacancies in key statutory and administrative positions (notably registrar), and the exercise of administrative and financial powers, while examining the leadership and functioning of the director," the official said.

The Ministry has also directed NIT Registrar to safeguard and provide all requisite records to the committee and ensure full cooperation from all concerned faculty, staff and other stakeholders. The officials did not comment on the reasons behind the action.