AWU students' stir enter 22nd day, Min says no mention of VC

As the Assam Women's University student's indefinite strike for a permanent vice-chancellor entered its 23rd day today, state Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told the assembly that there is no mention of the post in the Assam Women's University Act, 2013.

The state government has not violated the act as there is no mention of the post of vice-chancellor in it and regular teachers were not appointed as no advertisements were given for the purpose, he said.

Abdul Khaleq of Congress had raised the issue in the assembly and questioned why a permanent VC had not been appointed though about five years had passed since the University, the only one of its kind in the north east, began classes.

He also said that the government is trying to close down the university when Sarma himself as education minister in the erstwhile Tarun Gogoi-led Congress government had passed the Assam Women's University Bill in 2013.

Sarma in his reply said, "The state government has not violated the Assam Women's University Act as there is no mention of the post of vice-chancellor in the Act.

"Tarun Gogoi was the Chief of the University as per the Act (which states chief minister is the head of the institution). Why did Gogoi not appoint a VC then ?"