Tezpur University Vice Chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh, who is already under scrutiny for various corruption allegations, now faces serious accusations of misconduct in the recruitment process for an Assistant Professor position in the Hindi Department. Reports indicate that Singh allegedly pressured the appointment of Goma Devi Sharma, described as an “unqualified candidate,” even though she was initially excluded from the shortlist for the role.
The alleged irregularities came to light following an interview conducted on September 25, 2023. Singh reportedly directed Raza Rafiqul Hoque, the chairperson of the screening committee, to include Sharma and five other new candidates in the shortlist. Sources allege that Singh coerced Hoque and Pramod Meena, the former Head of the Hindi Department, as well as other committee members, to ensure Sharma’s selection.
On the day of the interview, Singh reportedly summoned Meena to his office just before it commenced and reprimanded him in front of the Registrar in-charge. According to Meena, the VC threatened him, stating, “I cannot ask any question during the interview. If I speak anything, he will not allow me to stay in the university.”
Furthermore, instead of consulting subject experts recommended by the department, Singh allegedly assembled a panel of his “own people” to promote his favored candidate. Despite other candidates displaying greater experience and Sharma’s interview performance being labeled as “unsatisfactory,” Singh reportedly intervened directly to advocate for her appointment.
Concerns around Sharma’s qualifications have emerged, particularly regarding her failure to meet the university’s requirements, which mandated a diploma or degree in translation and linguistics-a credential she allegedly lacks. Additionally, her application, citing ten years of teaching experience, did not specify the UGC pay scale, raising further doubts. Previously, Sharma had applied for the same position in 2021 but was not shortlisted. The then Head of Department had previously indicated that her teaching experience certificate was invalid and her published work fell short of UGC standards.
Prior to the interview, there were warnings about possible malpractice, but these went unaddressed due to Singh’s alleged interference. An individual named Shraddha Rahi had sent an email to university officials on September 23, 2023, expressing concerns, but no actions were initiated.
Following her contentious appointment, sources allege that Singh granted Sharma preferential advantages, such as designating her as a hostel warden and providing her with university housing, ignoring more senior faculty members. Those within the Hindi faculty who are aware of the alleged irregularities have reportedly faced ongoing harassment from Singh, including delays in their career advancement.
This is not the first instance of Singh being accused of misconduct. He has previously faced similar accusations regarding the recruitment of another individual, Akhilesh Kumar, as an Associate Professor, a process also marred by claims of candidate shortlist manipulation.
Both Goma Devi Sharma and VC Shambhu Nath Singh were unavailable for comment at the time of reporting. These latest developments have intensified protests among the Teachers’ Association, staff, and students at Tezpur University, who are demanding Singh’s resignation amid escalating allegations of financial misconduct and administrative wrongdoing, further fueled by a recent controversy involving popular Assamese singer Zubeen Garg.
Original Source: https://nenow.in/north-east-news/assam/fresh-allegations-surface-against-tezpur-university-vc-over-hindi-faculty-appointment.html
Category: Assam,Northeast News,Top News
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Publish Date: 2025-11-05 00:35:00
