SHILLONG, JUL 29: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council has urged Meghalaya Governor and NEHU Chief Rector CH Vijayashankar to intervene in the appointment of the acting Vice-Chancellor of North-Eastern Hill University, alleging that the decision made by the Ministry of Education deviates from the university’s governing statutes.
In a representation submitted on Wednesday, the HYC said it was constrained to bring to the Governor’s notice the Ministry of Education’s letter dated July 22, 2026, which conveyed the approval of the President of India, in her capacity as Visitor of NEHU, to entrust the charge of Vice-Chancellor to Prof. Saroj Kanta Barik of the Department of Botany.
The letter described Prof Barik as the second senior-most professor in the university, following the expiry of the tenure of the incumbent VC.
The youth body argued that the move appears inconsistent with Statute 2(A) Clause (2) of the NEHU Statutes, as amended in 2013, which mandates that upon expiry of a Vice-Chancellor’s term, and in the absence of a new appointment, charge must be handed over to the senior-most professor.
According to the HYC, the provision is mandatory and leaves no scope for discretion.
It said the statute does not permit charge to be given to the second senior-most professor unless the senior-most professor is either unavailable, ineligible, or has declined the responsibility.
The council pointed out that the Ministry’s communication is silent on all these aspects and does not cite any statutory authority for bypassing the senior-most professor.
“In the absence of any recorded reasons or statutory justification, the decision appears arbitrary and contrary to the express mandate of the NEHU Statutes,” the representation stated.
The HYC further said that statutes framed under the NEHU Act have the force of law and are binding on all authorities. Administrative convenience, it added, cannot override an express statutory provision.Highlighting the Governor’s role as Chief Rector, the council said this is a crucial moment for NEHU, which has already faced prolonged administrative uncertainty.
It stressed that adherence to the rule of law is necessary to preserve public confidence in the institution.
The HYC has requested the Governor to take up the matter with the President of India and the Ministry of Education.
It has asked for a review of the July 22 order, strict adherence to Statute 2(A) Clause (2), and restoration of compliance with the statutory provisions governing the university.
The council said it believes that any appointment made in deviation from the governing statutes, however well-intentioned, diminishes institutional credibility and invites avoidable legal and administrative complications.
It urged the Governor to ensure that future actions relating to NEHU’s governance are taken strictly in accordance with the NEHU Act and the statutes framed thereunder, to uphold the autonomy and integrity of one of the premier central universities in the North Eastern region.
