AKSU demands fresh appointment process of Music College teachers
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 14 2021:
While alleging that the recent appointment of teaching staff at Shri Shri Balmukunda Dev Music College was carried out in a secretive manner without issuing relevant notification, All Kangleipak Students' Union (AKSU) has demanded the government to revoke the appointment order ahd'recruit teaching staff by observing all formalities including issuing public notification.
In a statement, AKSU said that corrupt practices have jeopardised the future of the lone government music college of the state.
Apart from appointing teaching staff in a secretive manner, several teachers are holding two posts and there are also appointments of some unsanctioned posts in the college.
Expressing serious concern over conduct of the recruitment process in violation of the existing guidelines, the union appealed to the chief minister, who also holds the portfolio of art and culture, and also the director and commissioner of the department to look into the matter and fill in the vacant posts in a transparent manner.
Eight teachers were appointed on contract basis in an order issued by under-secretary of the department on March 7,2019 without issuing relevant public notification and conducting interview.
A teacher for guitar was appointed though the college has no department for guitar.
Though the criteria for a senior lecturer is five years' regular service as junior lecturer but six out of the eight newly appointed teachers were appointed in the rank of senior lecturers thereby violating the rights of the existing junior lecturers, who are eligible to get promoted as senior lecturer, the statement said.
Out of the eight teachers, two are already serving as teachers of flute and guitar at Manipur University of Culture's music department while another is serving as guest faculty of Tabla in the university.
At the same time, the junior lecturer for Sitar appointed in March 2019, is already in-service accompanist in the dance and music department of Manipur University, the statement said while demanding a clarification from the art and culture department in this regard.
The union further contended that all these corrupt practices were carried out by the then principal of the college in collusion with some high ranking officials of the department in order to appoint the principal's near and dear ones before his retirement.