IMPHAL, Sept 5 - A day after Manipur University Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Adya Prasad Pandey, who had been on leave pending a probe into allegations of irregularities against him, claimed to have �resumed duties�, the VC in charge, Prof W Vishwanath, today urged the Union Human Resource Development Ministry to take �appropriate actions� to maintain normalcy in the university.
In a letter to the Secretary, HRD Ministry, on Wednesday, Prof Vishwanath said the latest development in the university, which is limping back to normalcy after the suspension of the 85-day agitation, owing to Prof Pandey�s statement that he has resumed his duty as the VC of the University with effect from September 1 and subsequent issue of �several orders� including banning of associations are a �matter of great concern and create confusion�.
He also requested the HRD Ministry Secretary to take appropriate actions in time so that the enquiry proceedings may continue smoothly.
On Tuesday, Prof Pandey claimed that he had resumed his duties because a VC cannot be on leave for more than 30 days. Otherwise, he may face disciplinary action. He said that he is functioning from a transit office at the residence of the VC at Sanjenthong in Imphal as the office in the Manipur University has been locked.
Meanwhile, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, while speaking at the State-level Teacher�s Day function here today, said that the fresh issues in the Manipur University would be resolved in consultation with the Central Government soon. The core committee of political parties, a common platform of 10 Opposition parties in Manipur, have also demanded action against Prof Pandey for allegedly triggering a fresh crisis in the Manipur University.
Meanwhile, reacting to the orders on banning university associations, the Manipur University Teachers� Association, Manipur University Staff Association and Manipur University Students� Union, which have been demanding removal of Prof Pandey as the VC since May 30 over alleged financial and administrative irregularities, have resolved to resume their agitation, which was temporarily suspended following a Memorandum of Agreement with the HRD Ministry and the State Government on August 16, if appropriate action is not taken against the VC �for various virtual orders during his period of leave� by the competent authority.
