Parliament Question: Absentee Vice-Chancellor of Tezpur University

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-9 ANSWERED ON 01/12/2025 Absentee Vice-Chancellor of Tezpur University

9. Shri Pradyut Bordoloi:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION

be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken any steps to address the absence of Vice-Chancellor since 22nd September 2025, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government has received the report of the Fact-Finding Committee constituted by Governor of Assam-cum-Chancellor of Tezpur University to examine the serious allegations regarding the functioning of the Vice-Chancellor, if so, the details and the findings thereof;

(c) whether any Central team has been deputed to assess the prevailing administrative situation in Tezpur University, if so, the details and the findings of their visit thereof;

(d) whether it is a fact that large-scale irregularities have been reported in the appointment of security guards, violation of labour laws and procurement of library books and e-resources, including inflated quotations, irregular tendering and possible vendor collusion, if so, the details thereof; and

(e) whether any steps have been taken by the Government to resolve the administrative deadlock caused by the prolonged absence, if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)

(a) to (e): Central Universities are autonomous institutions established under Acts of Parliament and governed in accordance with the provisions of their respective Acts, Statutes, and Ordinances. As per the Tezpur University Act, 1993, if the office of the Vice-Chancellor becomes vacant, the Pro-Vice- Chancellor shall perform the duties of the Vice-Chancellor. It further provides that if the Pro-Vice- Chancellor is not available, the senior-most Professor shall perform the duties of the Vice-Chancellor until a new Vice-Chancellor assumes office or until the existing Vice-Chancellor attends to the duties of his office, as the case may be.

The Fact-Finding Committee constituted by the Hon’ble Governor of Assam has submitted its report to the Hon’ble Governor (ex officio Chancellor of Tezpur University). *****