VC still on leave, so govt backs deputy

VC still on leave, so govt backs deputy

DU Split Into Two Camps With Two Pro-VCs

Shradha.Chettri@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:23.10.2020

The Union ministry of education waded into the tussle between Delhi University vicechancellor Yogesh Tyagi and pro-VC P C Joshi late on Thursday night to spell out that the appointments made by the VC were not “valid” since he is on leave and should not be acted upon.

The ministry is also learnt to have written to the President of India, who is the visitor, apprising him of the “crisis situation” in the varsity. According to an official in the ministry, the letter contains some recommendations and the visitor may convey his decision on Friday.

Earlier in the day, Tyagi had removed Joshi from the position of pro-VC and appointed Geeta Bhatt in his place. Joshi had, meanwhile, notified the appointment of a new registrar, Vikas Gupta, whose interview had been completed and appointment cleared by the executive council on Wednesday. Earlier on Wednesday, Tyagi had approved and got notified the appointment of P C Jha as acting registrar and director, South Campus.

The letter from the ministry, however, was addressed to Gupta, giving him legitimacy for now. This was in response to a communication sent by Joshi on Wednesday stating that Tyagi was not discharging his duties and that he had not joined with a medical fitness certificate yet.

“It has been brought to our notice that a notification of charge of registrar was issued on October 21 morning, even before the working hours of the university, without active knowledge of PC Joshi who is the pro-vicechancellor, having charge of vice-chancellor at present as per the statue of the university, and an attempt was made to block the conduct of the executive council meeting scheduled on October 21 by the acting registrar appointed by Professor Yogesh Tyagi who is on leave,” said the letter, signed by Birendra Kumar Singh, deputy secretary.

The ministry has conveyed that if Tyagi wants to join office, he has to submit a medical fitness certificate. The letter reiterates that as Joshi will act as vice-chancellor, all orders issued with the approval of the vicechancellor should also have approval of Joshi.

The university had on Wednesday night declared the executive council meeting chaired by Joshi illegal. Jha, the VC’s choice for registrar, had at night sealed the office at Viceregal Lodge. “In the morning, the other group came along with Gupta and put an additional lock on the office. Once the new pro-VC, Bhatt, was appointed and she took charge, they went away. Now all the newly-appointed officials have taken charge,” said Jha, refusing to comment on the ministry’s letter. Bhatt is also the director of Non-Collegiate Women’s Education Board.

Meanwhile, the Joshi camp circulated a letter issued by the ministry of education on August 31, 2020, which mentioned Joshi being given charge of the post of vice-chancellor during Tyagi’s absence on medical grounds and till he resumed duty.

The letter, signed by undersecretary P K Singh, read: “The posts of registrar and finance officers of DU are lying vacant for the last few months. It is understood that the interviews for these posts were scheduled last month but could not be held in the absence of Yogesh Tyagi, who was hospitalised. Now that PC Joshi has been given the charge of VC during the absence of Tyagi, he should fix the date for the interviews.” Joshi was authorised to preside over the selection committee if by then the VC was not back in office.

AK Bhagi, president of the BJP-affiliated teachers’ group, National Democratic Front, came out in support of Joshi. “As per the order of the ministry, Joshi has been working as an acting vicechancellor and the letter said that the VC will join upon intimation. Now, he has not joined after medical leave. Can he issue such orders from his home? According to us, all the communication coming from Yogesh Tyagi has no validity unless he is medically fit.”

Bhatt, who belongs to the same group and has been appointed as pro-VC by Tyagi, refused to comment on the matter. "I have taken charge as pro-VC and am focusing on the new responsibility," she said.

The ministry has conveyed that if Tyagi wants to join office, he has to submit a medical fitness certificate. As Joshi will act as VC, all orders issued with the approval of the vicechancellor should also have his approval