GUWAHATI |  The Tezpur University Teachers’ Association (TUTA) has urged the Ministry of Education to take an early decision on an enquiry report into alleged irregularities involving Vice-Chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh, saying prolonged uncertainty over the matter is affecting the university community.

In a statement issued on Sunday, TUTA said the Ministry constituted a high-level enquiry committee on December 31, 2025, and directed Singh to recuse himself from official duties and remain on leave until the enquiry was completed.

The committee was initially expected to complete its proceedings within three months and reportedly submitted its report to the Ministry in May 2026. However, the teachers’ body said the university has yet to receive any information on the final decision or action taken on the committee’s recommendations.

Following Singh’s recusal, Amarendra Kumar Das was appointed Pro-Vice-Chancellor by the Visitor and assumed charge on January 7. TUTA said academic and administrative activities gradually returned to normal after nearly four months of protests by students and other stakeholders.

The association said the continued absence of a decision had left several issues unresolved, including Singh’s present status, the recommendations of the enquiry committee and the action taken by the competent authority.

Salary payment questioned

TUTA has also raised concerns over the continued payment of Singh’s salary. It referred to a Ministry of Education communication dated August 7 advising the university to continue releasing his salary, with final adjustment to be made later based on the enquiry report and subsequent action.

The association questioned the statutory basis for continuing to pay full salary during Singh’s prolonged absence from official duties.

“More than seven months have passed since the committee was set up, while Singh has been away from campus since September 24, 2025,” TUTA president Kusum K Bania said.

Bania also sought clarification on Singh’s current official status, noting that the December 31 order required him to remain on leave until the completion of the enquiry, while the report was reportedly submitted to the Ministry in May.

“The report has reportedly been with the Ministry since May. Tezpur University cannot be expected to wait indefinitely without knowing the outcome or the action taken. The Ministry must bring the matter to a logical conclusion,” she said.

TUTA also questioned whether Singh’s admissible leave may have been exhausted, citing provisions governing leave available to a Vice-Chancellor under the applicable statutes.

Protests and administrative concerns

The controversy follows a prolonged agitation at Tezpur University that began in September 2025. Students and other stakeholders had raised allegations relating to the university administration, including its handling of the death of Assamese cultural icon Zubeen Garg, besides alleged financial irregularities and environmental concerns over deforestation and ecological damage on the campus.

Singh stayed away from the campus after a confrontation with students on September 22, 2025, following which he abstained from campus activities.

TUTA said the delay in acting on the enquiry report had created uncertainty and fuelled apprehensions that the issue could remain unresolved until the completion of Singh’s tenure. It also pointed to demands for renewed protests seeking an early decision on his continuation in office.

However, the teachers’ association said it did not favour any action that would disrupt the academic environment, which it said had returned to normal with the cooperation of students, teachers and non-teaching staff.

The association also urged the university authorities to expedite pending academic and administrative matters, including convocations for two batches, CAS promotion interviews and appointments to key statutory posts such as Registrar, Finance Officer, Executive Engineer and Controller of Examinations.

It further called for the completion of pending infrastructure projects.

TUTA has sought a written decision from the Ministry of Education on the enquiry report, Singh’s current official status and the statutory provisions governing his continued leave and salary.

The Ministry’s decision on the enquiry report and any subsequent action is awaited.