CAT stays appointment of CoA dean, CAU director: DESAM
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 15 2024: The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Guwahati Bench has issued a stay order on the re-engagement and appointment of a retired teacher as dean of the College of Agriculture (CoA), Iroisemba, and director of instruction at Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal.

DESAM president Mayanglambam Somorjit, in a statement, informed that following reports about reappointment of a faculty member, who had resigned aged 65 years, as the CoA dean, and director of Instruction at CAU, DESAM carried out an investigation and found that the appointment order issued on July 31, 2024, Violated the University Act, Statutes', Rules and UGC guidelines.

The controversial appointment was highlighted through the media on August 4, authorities asked to review and cancel the order within four days.

In response, the CAU registrar issued a press statement on August 5, asserting that the re-employment was in accordance with the University's Statutes and Acts.

Despite efforts to address the matter, including locking down the Dean's office on August 12 and attempt to meet the registrar, DESAM could not obtain clarification on the legal basis for the appointment.

Instead, the deputy registrar was approached and asked to specify the clauses and sub-clauses of the University Act, Statutes, Rules, and UGC guidelines supporting the appointment.

On September 13, 2024, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Guwahati Bench stayed the reappointment order, following a challenge against the July 31 order (Order No CAU/Reg/2536/PF/19/2460).The tribunal's decision underscores concerns over the legality of the appointment, it said.

DESAM further urged CAU authorities to rectify the illegal appointment of the dean and director of Instruction and to ensure that the recruitment process for these positions is completed properly and in accordance with prescribed regulations.

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