Delhi University on a hiring spree, teachers' body cries foul

New Delhi: Delhi University has gone on a hiring spree barely few days before the VC's power to recruit candidates come to an end but the move has not gone down well with a section of teachers who have termed it an "unholy scramble" and have demanded President's intervention into the issue.

The University Grants Commission had conveyed to DU that no appointments should be made after July 28 as the tenure of its Vice Chancellor Dinesh Singh, comes to end three months after that.

The varsity's move to line up back-to-back interviews for important administrative positions within this week, has raised eyebrows.

"Ever since the university administration has reportedly received a letter from the UGC that no appointments should be made after July 28 that is the date after which only three months will be left before the term of the current VC ends, there seems to be an unseemly scramble for filling up of important administrative and academic positions before that deadline," DUTA President Nandita Narain said.

The university authorities however, denied any wrongdoing in the appointment process.

"All rules are being followed in toto and the appointments are being made in accordance with the statutes and ordinances of the university," said DU Media Coordinator and Joint Dean of Students' Welfare, Malay Neerav.

Delhi university Teachers Association (DUTA) has alleged that the positions were lying vacant for years and are suddenly being filled keeping VC's preferences on priority.

"We fail to understand why these positions that have been lying vacant for years must now be filled up in a matter of days by violating all procedures and norms such as notice period to candidates and proper screening of their antecedents and qualifications," she added.

The teachers' body has pointed out a particular case of a candidate for the post of Controller of Examinations.

"The candidate has been officially indicted by a Proctorial Committee for malpractices while conducting the SOL examination and was subsequently debarred from conducting examinations for SOL. The records for this would be available in the Proctor's Office as well as the Examination Branch," Narain said.

"Pending investigation into this serious aspect of this candidate's record, the interview for the post of Controller of Examinations, slated to be held on 25th July, should be cancelled. Needless to say, the appointment of a person with a flawed record to this sensitive post could play havoc with the integrity of the examination system," she added.

The DUTA condemns the unethical hurry displayed by the team of the current VC - himself under Visitorial Enquiry and Show Cause Notice for serious irregularities and scams - to fill up the top administrative and academic posts just days before the official deadline, Narain said.