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| KU V-C bypasses University Council to shift ‘favourite’ teacher along with post | | |  Early Times Report
Jammu, Jan 18: Kashmir University is again in news for all the wrong reasons, this time over transfer of a single Assistant Professor along with post from one department to another in gross violation of rules.
According to an order signed by Deputy Registrar Administration TW, copy of which is in possession of Early Times, the Vice Chancellor Prof Talat Ahmad has approved shifting of Dr Mohd Altaf Bhat, Assistant Professor Department of Biotechnology along with post to Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovations (CIRI).
“In view of contributions made by Dr Mohd Altaf Bhat, Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology since the establishment of CIRI including successful sanction of prestigious grants including DST PURSE, DBT BUILDER etc, and the fact that no substantive positions are available for CIRI at present, shifting of Dr Bhat along with post is hereby ordered as approved by the Vice Chancellor on the recommendations of a duly constituted committee in the interest of CIRI,” the order issued vide No. F (Perm. Faculty-CIRI/Admn-TW)KU/22 Dated January 10, 2022, reads.
Dr Bhat has not only been shifted along with his post that he held at his parent Department of Biotechnology, but also along with his research fellows and research equipment generated through extramural grants by him to CIRI “for smooth execution of ongoing projects.” The Vice Chancellor’s approval to shift the Assistant Professor along with the post has however drawn flak, with senior professors and officers accusing him of violating all established norms and procedures to favour the alleged “blue-eyed” teacher.
Sources said the VC is not the competent authority to take such policy matter decisions, which have to be necessarily placed before the University Council headed by Chancellor, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, for discussion, consideration and approval.
Senior University teachers say the committee mentioned in the shifting order of Dr Bhat lacks “statutory backing” and is an “internal committee constituted to favour one individual.”
“This committee hasn’t been constituted by the government or any other university statutory body to look into requirements at CIRI. How can one individual be shifted along with the post to another department when he has been appointed in a particular department against a particular post?” they asked.
Teachers allege that the VC is taking “decisions beyond his competence and powers” at a time when his three year term has already ended and the Chancellor’s Office has already constituted a search committee to find the new VC for which invitation of applications is presently underway.
Pertinent to mention that Dr Bhat was made Coordinator of CIRI soon after the present VC assumed the charge, triggering controversy and charges of favouritism from senior professors who had much better credentials and seniority on their side to lead CIRI.
“One professor, who has formerly served at top two administrative positions in the university, was ideally suited to lead CIRI but his credentials and seniority were ignored to favour a junior assistant professor,” the teachers alleged.
Sources said the University’s Registrar Dr Nisar Ahmad was not in favour of the present decision of shifting Dr Bhat along with his post and had also expressed his reservations but was “made to fall in line due to pressure from the top.” Even Head Department of Biotechnology was not taken on board or consulted before pulling a teacher from his department, the sources said.
“Such orders set a bad precedent where rules and regulations hold no respect. Tomorrow everyone with good credentials will seek such shifting to other departments by making Dr Bhat’s order a precedent. The Chancellor must order an inquiry into this issue and restrain the VC from taking policy matter decisions at the end of this tenure,” the University teachers said. |
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