Tezpur University (TU) Vice-Chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh, already facing allegations of financial misconduct and corruption, is now embroiled in a fresh controversy regarding the recruitment process for an associate professor. The latest accusations revolve around the controversial appointment of Akhilesh Kumar to the Education Department. Sources claim that the recruitment process was heavily manipulated to overlook standard university procedures, resulting in a questionable candidate shortlist.
The issue emerged from an abrupt revision of the shortlist for eligible candidates. On August 18, 2023, TU’s website announced an initial list that included 21 candidates selected for interviews for the associate professor position. However, this list was unexpectedly altered just a day before the scheduled interviews on August 25, 2023. The revised list, published on August 24, 2023, suddenly included Akhilesh Kumar, who had been deemed ineligible in the initial screening. Following the interview process, Kumar was subsequently appointed to the position.
Key allegations indicate that Kumar was added to the interview list despite the Screening Committee’s explicit decision not to select him. Under TU rules, this committee is responsible for shortlisting candidates. Commenting on the situation, a source pointed to potential misuse of authority, questioning how a candidate not considered eligible made it onto the final list just before the interviews.
The revised list published on August 24 bore the signatures of only two officials: Nilratan Roy, then Head of the Education Department, and Raja Rafiul Haque, then Dean of Academic Affairs. Sources allege that both officials were pressured by Vice-Chancellor Singh to sign the amended list that included Kumar’s name, indicating direct interference in the recruitment process.
Roy, who served on the screening committee, noted that Kumar failed to meet several key criteria set by the University Grants Commission, including minimum qualifications. “Kumar’s application was found unsatisfactory due to missing documents and improper publications,” Roy reported. “Thus, we unanimously decided not to shortlist him, and this was approved for publication without his name.”
The situation escalated when Vice-Chancellor Singh confronted Roy about Kumar’s omission from the shortlist. Reports suggest that Singh insisted on Kumar’s inclusion, ultimately compelling Roy to sign the revised list. During the interview, Kumar reportedly struggled to provide adequate responses. Despite Roy’s objections as head of the department, Singh allegedly suppressed his concerns.
Adding to the controversy is Kumar’s subsequent appointment as the Director of the Centre for Open and Distance Learning (CODL), despite being a newly appointed associate professor. This decision raises questions about favoritism and adherence to established academic norms, as it typically falls to more experienced professors to lead such centers.
Vice-Chancellor Singh was unavailable for comment, and an email seeking clarification on the allegations went unanswered. Akhilesh Kumar defended his position, stating that upon discovering his exclusion from the shortlist, he submitted an objection letter to both the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar. Following this, a revised list was issued that included him, leading to his selection after the interview.
This story reflects ongoing concerns surrounding transparency and adherence to academic integrity at Tezpur University as allegations of impropriety continue to unfold.
Original Source: https://nenow.in/top-news/recruitment-irregularities-tezpur-university-vc-pressured-faculties-to-rig-associate-professor-recruitment.html
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Publish Date: 2025-10-12 00:33:00
