A fresh controversy has erupted at North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) as Vice Chancellor Prof Prabha Shankar Shukla declared an Academic Council meeting called by Pro Vice Chancellor Prof Sherwin Sungoh for May 21 as invalid.
Prof Shukla stated that Prof Sungoh has no legal authority under the NEHU Act and Statutes to convene such meetings and warned that appropriate action would be taken if the meeting proceeds. “Unauthorized meetings and any decisions taken therein could seriously jeopardise academic operations and the conferment of degrees,” the VC cautioned.
The row began when the Joint Registrar failed to issue a notice for the adjourned Academic Council meeting as directed by Prof Shukla. Subsequently, Registrar Col Omkar Singh (Retd) scheduled the meeting for May 23. However, Prof Sungoh issued a separate notice via the Joint Registrar for the same meeting on May 21. University insiders and legal experts emphasized that only the Vice Chancellor is empowered to convene Academic Council meetings. They warned that decisions made in the May 21 meeting, if held, could face legal scrutiny.