Guwahati: The Tezpur University Teachers’ Association (TUTA) has called on the Ministry of Education to take an early decision on the enquiry report into alleged irregularities involving Vice-Chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh, saying the university community has been waiting for the outcome for several months.
In a statement issued on Sunday, TUTA said the Ministry constituted a high-level enquiry committee on December 31, 2025, and instructed Singh to step away from his responsibilities and remain on leave until the completion of the proceedings.
The association said the panel was initially expected to complete its work within three months and reportedly submitted its report to the ministry in May 2026. However, TUTA said the university has yet to receive information on the findings or any decision taken on the recommendations.
After Singh recused himself, Visitor-appointed Pro-Vice-Chancellor Amarendra Kumar Das took charge on January 7. TUTA said academic and administrative functioning gradually stabilised following nearly four months of protests involving students and other stakeholders.
The teachers’ body said the continued absence of an official decision has raised questions about Singh’s current status, the recommendations made by the enquiry committee and the steps taken by the competent authority.
TUTA also questioned the continued payment of Singh’s salary. It referred to a Ministry of Education communication dated August 7 that advised the university to continue paying his salary, with any necessary adjustment to be made later based on the enquiry findings and subsequent action.
The association sought clarity on the statutory provisions under which full salary could continue to be drawn while the Vice-Chancellor remains away from official duties.
TUTA President Kusum K Bania said more than seven months had passed since the enquiry committee was formed, while Singh had remained away from the university campus since September 24, 2025.
Bania also questioned the present status of Singh in light of the December 31 directive requiring him to remain on leave until the enquiry was completed. She noted that the report was reportedly submitted to the ministry in May.
“The report has reportedly been with the Ministry since May. Tezpur University cannot be expected to wait indefinitely without knowing the outcome or the action taken. The Ministry must bring the matter to a logical conclusion,” Bania said.
TUTA further raised concerns over whether Singh’s admissible leave had already been exhausted, citing provisions under the applicable statutes governing leave for a Vice-Chancellor.
The controversy follows months of unrest at the university that began in September 2025. Students and other stakeholders had raised several concerns relating to the university administration, including its handling of the death of Assamese cultural icon Zubeen Garg, alleged financial irregularities and concerns over deforestation and ecological damage on the campus.
Singh had stayed away from the campus after a confrontation with students on September 22, 2025, following which he stopped participating in campus activities.
TUTA said the lack of a decision on the enquiry report had deepened uncertainty and raised concerns that the issue could remain unresolved until Singh’s tenure ends. The association also pointed to renewed calls for protests seeking clarity on his continuation as Vice-Chancellor.
At the same time, TUTA said it did not support actions that could disturb the university’s academic environment, which it said had returned to normal with cooperation from students, teaching staff and non-teaching employees.
The teachers’ association also urged the university administration to address pending academic and administrative work. These include holding convocations for two batches, conducting Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) promotion interviews and filling key statutory posts such as Registrar, Finance Officer, Executive Engineer and Controller of Examinations.
TUTA also called for pending infrastructure projects to be completed and sought a written response from the Education Ministry on the enquiry findings, Singh’s current official position, and the rules governing his leave and salary.
The ministry’s decision on the enquiry report and any subsequent action is still awaited.