Guwahati: The Ministry of Education on Tuesday appointed Prof. Amrendra Kumar Das of IIT Guwahati as Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Tezpur University with immediate effect and simultaneously ordered a high-level enquiry into the ongoing administrative crisis and allegations surrounding the central university in Assam.
An official communication from the Department of Higher Education said Prof. Das, who serves in the Department of Design at IIT Guwahati, will function as Pro-Vice-Chancellor in accordance with provisions of the Tezpur University Act, Statutes and Ordinances. The competent authority approved the appointment.
On the same day, the Ministry issued an Office Memorandum constituting a three-member Enquiry Committee under Section 9 of the Tezpur University Act, 1993, to examine all issues linked to the prevailing situation at the university, including allegations against the Vice-Chancellor.
The panel will be headed by Prof. Lokendra Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Manipur University. The other members are Prof. Jagadish Kumar Patnaik, Vice-Chancellor of Nagaland University, and Prof. Manish R. Joshi, Secretary, University Grants Commission (UGC).
The memorandum directed the Vice-Chancellor of Tezpur University to recuse himself from all official responsibilities and proceed on leave with immediate effect, pending completion of the enquiry.
The committee will conduct a comprehensive review of the findings and recommendations of the Fact-Finding Committee report earlier submitted to the Office of the Chancellor. It will also examine events that led to the present crisis, including resignations and assumption of charges by university officials.
The Ministry has authorised the panel to visit the campus, interact with stakeholders, scrutinise documents and records, and examine any other matter it deems relevant to the enquiry.
The Ministry has also asked the committee to submit its report at the earliest, within a maximum period of three months from the date of issuance of the memorandum. The UGC will provide secretarial support, and the Ministry has instructed Tezpur University authorities to extend full cooperation and furnish all required assistance.
The developments mark a direct intervention by the Centre aimed at restoring administrative stability and addressing governance-related concerns at Tezpur University.