Tribal students' body accuses Tripura univ VC of bias

A tribal student's body in Tripura has alleged that Vice-Chancellor of Tripura University has failed to maintain fairness and transparency in case of appointments and downgraded the quality of education in the institution.
"In all appointments, including contractual and casual, you have failed to maintain fairness and transparency, and also prevented entry of competent and qualified persons, which downgraded the quality of education at the university", the Twipra Students' Federation (TSF) said in its memorandum submitted to the VC Anjan Kumar Ghosh yesterday.
When contacted, Chief Organising Secretary of TSF, David Debbarma said, "Before submitting the memorandum, the tribal students also took out a procession inside the campus and in our memorandum we have also mentioned that the VC is biased towards indigenous students".

The TSF further alleged that the VC had violated the existing reservation procedure in the university.
"You have ... Also prevented entry of competent and qualified persons, which downgraded the quality of education at the university," it said.
When contacted, the VC said no rule or regulation was violated in the appointments made in this central university.

He said, the delegation while submitting the memorandum yesterday had mentioned that appointment of a media-cum-public relation consultant had violated norms which was not true.
"This is a temporary post and the university has the authority to appoint someone by following appropriate procedures.

"A finance Officer was appointed by MHRD following all rules and the university has nothing to do in this case and one librarian was appointed by strictly adhering to the UGC guidelines", Ghosh said adding "the question of nepotism does not arise".
"There is no question of being disrespectful to tribals.
In my tenure MA was introduced in tribal language, Kokborok and other courses in Mizo and Garo languages", the VC said.
The TSF is an independent tribal body constituting students from Tripura's tribal communities.