SHILLONG, JAN 23: Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui has appealed to Prof Sumarbin Umdor to resume his duties as Pro Vice-Chancellor of North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) in an effort to ease the ongoing administrative crisis at the institution.

Prof Umdor had tendered his resignation on December 15; however, it has not yet been accepted by the competent authority.

The prolonged impasse at NEHU, triggered by the Vice-Chancellor Prof Prabha Shukla’s absence from duty for the past 422 days, has severely disrupted academic activities and delayed salary payments to staff.

Concerned over the situation, a delegation of stakeholders recently met Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Education Minister Rymbui, urging the state government to intervene and help resolve the crisis.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Rymbui said the state government is in continuous dialogue with the central government to find a solution. He noted that the deadlock has adversely affected not only the NEHU headquarters in Shillong but also nearly 70 affiliated colleges across Meghalaya.

Appealing to Prof Umdor, the minister said that resuming his duties would help ensure that the administration at the Shillong campus continues to function, at least on an interim basis, in the interest of students and staff.

“I request Dr Umdor to resume his duty so that the administration in the Shillong campus can continue, whatever the limitations,” Rymbui said.

Expressing hope for an early resolution, he added, “We hope the central government and the Union Education Ministry will find a permanent solution to the problem.”