Tripura varsity faces contempt of court

AGARTALA, March 17: Tripura University which has all along been in the thick of controversy for inept handling of the varsity affairs, is now facing contempt of court. It started with the Tripura University's attempt to appoint a financial officer on deputation. The varsity published advertisement for the intending candidates for the post. But it is alleged that the aspiring candidates were deprived of any interview on flimsy grounds as some influential sections in the institution took special care that one Shiburanranjan Saha was given the post. Saha was already on deputation in the Finance Ministry in New Delhi and the varsity wanted to bring him on redeputation. One Shyamal Baidya moved the court with a writ petition against the university authority's decision. One of his main contentions was that as per norms one employee already on deputation could not be employed straight on redeputation again, without bringing him first to his parent department. After a long hearing, the Agartala Bench of Gauhati High Court passed a stay order on the appointment of Saha last month. But the university authority appointed Saha even after the order was handed over to the varsity in clear violation of the High Court order. This step evoked contempt of court. Besides there were allegations that students were either given unproportionately high marks or less marks in examination papers. In the fourth convocation ceremony last month in which A PJ Abdul Kalam was present, the university authority failed to provide the invited students with their certificates and medals. A total chaos prevailed in the convocation ceremony with Kalam, varsity Chancellor Governor Lt Gen (Retd) K M Seth on the dias.