N.K.Singh falters in his promise on Nalanda controversy

13/10/2011

N K Singh falters in his promise on Nalanda controversy

Niraj Kamal *

New Delhi ,(BiharTimes): After the Bihar Times broke the story of wrong-doings in the project of Nalanda University, a senior journalist from Patna, K.K.Singh sent an Open Letter to Amartya Sen . The mail was also sent to N.K.Singh, only representative from Bihar in this prestigious project . N K Singh replied in written message that “I have seen your open letter addressed to Prof Amartya Sen and would certainly bring its contents to the notice of the next meeting of the governing board.”

Next Governing Board Meeting is being held in Beijing. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Liu Weimin stated in a press conference on October,10 that at the invitation of the Chinese side, the Nalanda university Governing Board, led by its Chairperson, Prof. Amartya Sen, will host a board meeting in Beijing and visit Xi’an from October 11 to 15.It is another case of opacity that while holding an open meet on Nalanda University Revival Amartya Sen held on 6th October in New Delhi , he did not inform the public about the Governing Board meeting that very week.

Though N.K.Singh stated that he would take up the issue of controversy surrounding appointment of Gopa Sabharwal as VC- designate after the Government stated in the Parliament on 25th September that she has not been appointed as the Vice Chhancellor of Nalanda university; it is surprising that N.K.Singh is touring Xian and Beijing with same controversial VC-designate.

The Nalanda Mentor Group was authorized to functions as the Interim Governing Board for a period of one year or till such time the members referred to in clauses (c) to (g) of sub-section (1) of section 7 of

Nalanda University Act,2010 are nominated, whichever is earlier. The term of the Interim Governing Board ends formally on 25th November, one year from the operation of the Act.

The VC-designate or even the VC is not a Member of the interim governing Board as she is not in the NMG. But, in another arbitrary act of commission, the VC-designate who has not been appointed VC till now, but drawing astronomically high salary and misusing the fund from the Consolidated Fund of India has now been elevated into the member of the Governing Board. She participated in the Interim Governing Board meeting held in New Delhi on February,21 and then in Patna on July,6. Not only

she but even her OSD, Anjana Sharma appointed illegally by a non-appointed VC at astronomically high salary is attending the Beijing Meting of the Interim Governing Though N.K.Singh had made a promise that the issue of her controversial appointment would be taken up in the next meeting of the Governing Board, the very elevation of the same non-appointed VC as a participant in the meeting of the Governing Board has brought down the curtains of promises, transparency and rule of law.

(The pictures are from Xian in which Gopa Sabharwal and her OSD Anjana Sharma can be seen along with N.K.Singh, the NMG Member)

THE NALANDA UNIVERSITY ACT, 2010
No. 39 OF 2010

Clause on Governing Board

[21stSeptembel; 2010.]

7. (I) There shall be a Governing Board of the University consisting of the following

persons as its members, namely:-

(a) the Chancellor;

(b) the Vice-Chancellor;

financial assistance during a period of three years to be nominated by the Member

(d) one member, not below the rank of Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs,

to be nominated by the Central Government;

(e) two members, representing the State Government of Bihar, to be nominated by

the State Government;

(f) one member not below the rank of Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Human

Resource Development, to be nominated by the Central Government;

(g) three members from amongst the persons being renowned academician or

educationist, to be nominated by the Central Government.

(2) Each member of the Governing Board referred to in clauses (c) to (g) of sub-

section(I), shall holdoffice for a fixed term of three years.

(3) The Chancellor shall be the Chairperson of the Governing Board.

(4) The member, being the Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, nominated

under clause (d) of sub-section (I), shall be the Member-Secretary of the Governing

(5) Subject to the provisions of this Act; the Statutes and the Ordinances made there

under, the Governing Board may regulate its own procedure (including quorum) for

the conduct of its meetings.

8. U) The Governing Board shall be responsible for all the policies and directions of

the University and management of its affairs.

(2) The Governing Board shall exercise such powers as may be prescribed by the

Provided that the Nalanda Mentor Group shall exercise the powers and discharge the functions

of the Governing Board for a period of one year or till such time the members referred to in

clauses (c) to (g) of sub-section (1) of section 7 are nominated, whichever is earlier.

*(Niraj Kamal is the President of SAI)

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