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Centre Strips NIT Kurukshetra Director's Powers, Sets Up Probe Panel

The Union Education Ministry has constituted a three-member committee to conduct a sweeping review of NIT Kurukshetra's functioning and leadership. The panel, led by Prof. Anil Sahasrabudhe, will examine governance, academic administration, and handling of staff grievances and vigilance complaints. Concurrently, the Ministry has withdrawn the administrative and financial powers of the institute's Director, Professor BV Ramana Reddy. The committee has been instructed to submit its findings within one month.

Key Points: NIT Kurukshetra Director's Powers Withdrawn, Probe Panel Set Up

  • High-level probe committee formed
  • Director's powers withdrawn
  • Review of governance and NIRF ranking decline
  • Report due within one month
2 min read

Centre sets up three member probe panel to review NIT Kurukshetra affairs; Director's powers withdrawn

Centre forms high-level committee to review NIT Kurukshetra's affairs, withdraws Director Prof. BV Ramana Reddy's administrative and financial powers.

"review the work, progress and affairs of NIT Kurukshetra and the leadership role of Director - Ministry of Education order"

By Vishu Adhana, New Delhi, March 30

The Union Ministry of Education has constituted a high-level committee to review the functioning, administration and leadership of the National Institute of Technology Kurukshetra, even as it has withdrawn the administrative and financial powers of its Director, Professor BV Ramana Reddy, sources toldon Monday.

An official order issued by the Ministry said the panel has been formed to "review the work, progress and affairs of NIT Kurukshetra and the leadership role of Director (Prof. B.V. Ramana Reddy)."

According to the order copy, which ANI has assessed, the three-member committee will be headed by Prof. Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman of the National Education Technology Forum (NETF) and former AICTE Chairman. Other members include M. Madan Gopal, IAS (Retd.), Chairperson, Board of Governors, VNIT Nagpur, and Prof. K.K. Shukla, Director, MANIT Bhopal.

The committee will "examine the overall functioning of the Institute, including governance, academic and administrative functioning," and "review issues relating to recruitment and promotion processes, handling of staff grievances, and complaints forwarded by the Central Vigilance Commission and other agencies."

The order further states that the panel will "assess institutional performance, including decline in NIRF rankings, prolonged vacancies in key statutory and administrative positions (notably Registrar), and the exercise of administrative and financial powers."

Importantly, it adds that the committee will "examine the leadership and functioning of the Director (Prof. B.V. Ramana Reddy) of NIT Kurukshetra."

As per the order, the committee may visit the campus and seek records, with the Registrar (I/c) instructed to "safeguard and provide all requisite records... and ensure full cooperation from all concerned faculty, staff and other stakeholders." The panel has been asked to submit its report "within one month of the issue of this Order."

Sources confirmed that alongside the constitution of the committee, the Ministry has withdrawn Prof. Reddy's administrative and financial powers, though the reasons for this action have not been officially disclosed.

Prof. Reddy currently serves as Director of NIT Kurukshetra, an institution ranked among the top 100 in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).

He holds a Bachelor's degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Andhra University (1986), a Master's degree from IIT Roorkee (1991), and a PhD from Kurukshetra University (1998).

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As an alumna, this is sad to see. NIT Kurukshetra has a great legacy. The prolonged vacancy of the Registrar post itself shows administrative paralysis. The committee members seem capable, but the one-month deadline feels very tight for a proper review.
V
Vikram M
Withdrawing powers before the probe is complete? This seems like a pre-judgment. While review is good, the process must be fair to the Director as well. His academic credentials are solid. Let's wait for the committee's findings.
P
Priya S
Finally! Staff grievances and CVC complaints being looked into is crucial. Often, internal politics in these institutes harm the work environment and ultimately the students. Hope this sets a precedent for other NITs/IIITs facing similar issues.
R
Rohit P
The committee is heavyweight – Prof. Sahasrabudhe and an ex-IAS officer. This shows the ministry is serious. The focus on recruitment/promotion processes is key. Bias in these areas demoralizes good faculty. Jai Hind!
K
Kavya N
As a current student, I just hope this doesn't disrupt our academic calendar or placements. The administration has been slow for many things. Hopefully, this intervention leads to faster decisions and better infrastructure for us.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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