Kolkata, Aug. 28 -- The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has expressed dismay over Visva-Bharati Vice-Chancellor Probir Kumar Ghosh's failure to appear before it in connection with alleged irregularities in the implementation of reservation policy during the recruitment of a deputy registrar, a varsity official said on Friday.
According to the NCSC letter, a hearing was held on August 20 before commission member Dr Partha Biswas to examine alleged lapses in implementing reservation norms for the post. While the V-C was asked to appear, other administrative officials of the central university attended the hearing.
In a letter dated August 27, the commission said the V-C's absence had been viewed "very seriously" and directed the authorities to ensure his personal appearance at the next hearing. The date has not yet been communicated.
The NCSC cautioned the V-C to ensure "strict compliance" and warned that failure to do so could prompt it to exercise powers under Article 338(8) of the Constitution, including those of a civil court.
The Visva-Bharati spokesperson confirmed receipt of the communication and said the recruitment decision was taken collectively. He said Centre representatives were present during the interview process and maintained that it was transparent.
Complainant Liton Biswas alleged that the post was reserved for the Scheduled Caste category and claimed the recruitment process lacked transparency.
The university said it would respond to the commission in accordance with law.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.