Recruitment of assistant professors under the scanner; Department asked not to finalize process without HC's permission

Guwahati: The process of recruitment for posts of Assistant Professors, and some other posts in the provincialized colleges of the State, has been brought under the scanner of the Gauhati High Court through a Writ Petition filed by four aspiring candidates. The court has consequently asked the State's Higher Education Department not to finalize the recruitment process without the permission of the court.

The court had further directed the Higher Education Department to file an affidavit stating in specific terms as to which authority is funding the functioning of the colleges concerned.

The petitioners have alleged that while the selection process of college teachers is governed by the UGC Regulation of 2018, certain procedures prescribed in an Office Memorandum issued by the Higher Education Department on January 24 this year are in direct conflict with UGC Regulation of 2018.

The petitioners' counsel submitted during preliminary hearing that while it is an admitted position that all selections for the post of Assistant Professors and other posts in the provincialized colleges are to be done by adhering to the UGC Regulation of 2018, yet the impugned Office Memorandum prescribes a marked deviation from the UGC Regulation, whereby not only an illegality will be committed, but also grave prejudice would be caused to the petitioners.

The court stated in connection with its directive not to finalize the recruitment process: "We provide so, inasmuch as, the dispute involves is to the distribution of marks adopted in the selection process, and, therefore, no final selection can be made. In the selection process, the petitioners may also participate along with other eligible candidates for the purpose."

Hearing of the matter will resume after the Bohag Bihu vacation.

Also read: Guwahati: Burglar Steals Rs 25,000 From Dakhingaon Jama Masjid

Also watch: