SU students support Occupy UGC Movement

Support demand to restore, expand and increase Non NET Fellowships for M.Phil and Ph.D. scholars

On 02 November, 2015 a peaceful mass protest rally was organized by the students of Sikkim University from 5th Mile Rap Jyor Caveri Girls Hostel, Sikkim University to Administration Block, Sikkim University 6th Mile to show solidarity towards the “Occupy UGC Movement”. Around 300 students pursuing different courses of study in Sikkim University participated with placards and slogans against the recent decision of UGC, and expressed their views in front of the Administrative Block, Sikkim University in support of the Non NET Fellowships and against privatization of education.

Rights of the Elderly underlined and discussed

VISHNU NEOPANEY

A sensitization programme on “Rights of Elderly vis-à-vis Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007” was organized by the Legal Aid Clinic, Department of Law, Sikkim University in collaboration with Sikkim State Legal Services Authority here in Gangtok on 05 September.

Sikkim Univ team studies peace building process in Sri Lanka

GANGTOK, 04 Jan: A six-member team of the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies and Management (PCSM), Sikkim University, completed a successful study tour (16 to 31 December 2014) of conflict-affected areas of Sri Lanka. The undertaking was sponsored by the India-Sri Lanka Foundation and was supported by the Sikkim University, Gangtok.

SU students to get free laptops as well

GANGTOK, 08 Oct: Sikkim University students called on Chief Minister Pawan Chamling at Samman Bhawan this afternoon where the CM assured that free laptops will be distributed to Sikkim University students as well.
The Chief Minister, in a post on his official Facebook page, also expressed his happiness at the response that the laptop distribution initiative has received.
“I am happy to know that the laptop distribution by the State Government to class XI, XII and college students of East district has received encouraging response,” he shares.
The post informs that the distribution in the remaining districts will resume after the Dasain holidays as announced earlier.
“We plan to give laptops to our Sikkimese students in Sikkim University as well. But as the laptops are procured from outside the country they take time to arrive,” the CM states on his facebook post.
“We want our Sikkimese students to be the best. With the distribution of the laptops, it is expected that the digital deficiencies of our students for their educational advancement will gradually disappear,” he adds.

Three-day national conference on Medicinal Plant Research

GANGTOK, 01 Oct: The Department of Botany, Sikkim University in association with Sikkim State Medicinal Plant Board is organizing a three-day national conference on ‘New Frontiers in Medicinal Plant Research and a special meeting on ‘Medicinal Plants for Livelihood Security and Community Empowerment in Eastern Himalayas’ from 03-05 October at Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Gangtok.
A press release informs that the event is expected to supply a comprehensive understanding and overall picture on recent developments in this sector to all stakeholders and provide an initial way forward for capacity building and empowerment of the Eastern Himalayan communities to provide competitive advantage to them in the global market, both sustainably and equitably.
More than 125 delegates including researchers, NGOs, private companies, conservation and development agencies, policy makers, students and stakeholders’ representatives are participating in the conference. About 25 eminent scientists and researchers from prestigious institutes in India and abroad will deliver expert lectures and partake in the deliberations, the release informs. As part of the special meeting, an interactive session with local medicinal plant growers and practitioners of local health traditions is being organized on 05 October.

SU observes International Peace Day

GANGTOK, Sept 22: The UN International Day of Peace (Peace Day) was celebrated at Sikkim University campus jointly by the department of Peace and Conflict, Sikkim University and Universal Peace Federation (UPF) on Saturday. The theme of this year’s Peace Day is Education for Peace.
The Vice Chancellor of Sikkim University, Prof. TB Subba was present as the chief guest along with Vice Chancellor of ICFAI University, SG Tashi and Chairman of UPF, GM Gurung as guests of honor.

Sikkim University to open 11 new departments, cover all left-out core subjects

GANGTOK, 09 May: The new academic session which begins August 2013 at Sikkim University will see the introduction of 11 new departments at the university, and with this addition to the bouquet of courses on offer, the University will finally be offering post-graduation courses in all core subjects being taught at the under graduate level.
A press communiqué received from the OSD-Registrar, KM Deb, Sikkim University informs that starting August 2013, the following post graduate courses will be offered: Anthropology [MA/ MSc], Education [M.Ed], English [MA], Hindi [MA], History [MA], Political Science [MA], Commerce [M.Com], Management [MBA], Tourism [MA], Mathematics [BSc-MSc Integrated and MSc] and Zoology [MSc].
The release informs that the expansion is “in view of the demand from different organisations of Sikkim and to fulfil the objective of the University”.
It may be recalled that one the demands of the protesting students during the term of the last Vice Chancellor was for Sikkim University to offer post graduation courses in all subjects that students were graduating in from colleges here. This has come good now.

HC fines Sikkim Univ and former VC for delay in responding to PIL

…ALSO CAUTIONS STATE ON TENDENCY TO FILE RESPONSE AT THE LAST MINUTE
GANGTOK, 10 Dec: The High Court of Sikkim has levied costs on the Sikkim University and other respondents to the tune of Rs.10,000 for delay in filing counter affidavits in a Public Interest Litigation brought against them by Bisnu Maya of Ravangla-based Ashta organization.
The PIL was filed in May this year and till date, the respondents, including Sikkim University and its former Vice Chancellor, Prof Mahendra P Lama, have not filed their respective counter affidavits. The single bench of Justice SP Wangdi noted that the attitude of the respondents was casual and disinterested which was not acceptable.
On the other hand, appearing for the petitioner, counsel S Sengupta submitted that he would pursue the PIL in spite of the fact that respondent number 2, the former VC, was no longer associated with the university.  His argument is that the scope of the PIL was larger and that Sikkim University as an institution was still in existence.
The counsel for the respondents has been given 4 weeks to file the affidavits failing which their affidavits will not be accepted. Moreover this can only be submitted along with a cost of Rs. 10,000.
In another PIL matter which came up today before the Single Bench, the Court noted with seriousness the tendency of the State respondents to file their affidavits and compliance reports at the last moment of the given time period within which they are required to submit the required documents. This left hardly any time for the court or the opposing party to examine the affidavit or reports.
The court noted that this ‘modus operandi’ had become a regular feature of the state respondents and in this regard issued a strict caution to the state. This observation was made in the PIL raising issues and concerns over the state of health services in the state filed by Rinzing Chewang Kazi of Chungthang.
The Health Department had earlier filed an affidavit regarding the health infrastructure in the state and had sought additional time of a week to file the affidavit on stocks of life-saving drugs. However there was delay in filing this latter affidavit and condonation of delay had been sought.
While allowing the affidavit, the Court noted that the list of medicines as listed with the affidavit were mostly in their medical or scientific names which required time to examine. Senior Government Advocate, K Thinlay acknowledged the court’s dismay over the late filing of affidavits. Appearing for the petitioner was Dr. Doma T Bhutia. The PIL largely concerns the state of health services in rural areas especially the implementation of the NRHM and JSY programmes.

SU appeals against Human Rights Commission recommendations

HIGH COURT ADMITS APPEAL, STAYS SHRC RECOMMENDATION

GANGTOK 26 NOV: The High Court passed a stay order today in an appeal filed by the Sikkim University against the recommendations of the Sikkim State Human Rights Commission and directed to serve notices to the respondents.
The Commission, it may be recalled, had passed a strong set of recommendations against the University and individually against the former VC, Prof Mahendra P Lama, on a complaint filed with it by four former faculty members. The duo had complained against the University’s continuing refusal to release their salaries or explain why it was doing so. The University had been advise to release the due salaries of the complainants and also issue them experience certificates. Prof Lama, whom the Commission saw as having intentionally engineered the travails on the complainants, had been directed to pay damages to two of them as compensation.
Madhuchandra Bhattacharjee, advocate for Sikkim University, when contacted, informed that Sikkim University and the former Vice Chancellor had moved the appeal questioning the jurisdiction of the State Human Rights Commission and claiming that they had been provided enough time to defend themselves.
Ms. Bhattacharjee informs that the appeal argues that a ‘service matter’ does not fall under the jurisdiction of State Human Rights Commission and that the Commission had passed the recommendations without examinations of the facts.
The appeal, she adds, also contends that the Commission was biased and had passed recommendations in an arbitrary manner, without, as mentioned, providing her enough time to defend her clients.
The division bench of Sikkim High Court today admitted the case and directed that notice be issues to the respondents and allowed a stay on the recommendations.
The Sikkim State Human Rights Commission headed by former Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court, Justice Ajoy Nath Ray, has recommended, apart from release of pending salaries and expereince certificates by the University, that Prof. Lama “personally payout of his own funds compensation for illegal actions initiated and persisted in by him to the prejudice and loss of the petitioners to the extent of Rs. 2,44,000 to four complainants” and also recommended to the Sikkim University it’s Executive Council and all concerned office bearers, employees and staff to “forthwith cancel the proceedings and decisions of Executive Council dated 16/ 3/ 2012, New Delhi as it is a product of illegal initiation of proceedings and was reached in breach of the rules of natural justice and Sikkim University”.

SU Microbiology students participate in intl conference, one earns Best Presenter recognition

GANGTOK, 31 Oct: Four research scholars from Sikkim University attended an International conference on ‘Agriculture, Food Sciences and Environment Technology for Sustainable Global Development’ (AFSET -2012) on 28 and 29 October at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi  organised by Krishi Sanskriti. One of them, Kriti Ghatani, a PhD scholar from the Department of Microbiology at the university was awarded the Best Oral Presentation recognition.
The conference was the premier forum for the presentation of new advances and research results in the fields of theoretical, experimental and applied Agriculture, Food Sciences, Environmental Technology and its Applications from around the world.
Students, research scholars and doctorates from various universities in India and abroad participated. There were 163 research papers out of which 111 were selected for oral presentation and 8 for poster presentation.
A press release from Sikkim University informs that M Phil students of the Department of Microbiology, Sayak Das and Mingma Sherpa presented the Master’s dissertation work on Sikkim’s Tatopani. Kriti Ghatani and Shankar Prasad Sha both PHD scholars, the first batch of the, would be Doctorates of the Department of Microbiology, Sikkim University also presented their papers during the conference.
Each of their research papers were selected for oral presentation on Food Sciences. Kriti Ghatani’s paper was related to the efficacy of beneficial bacteria as a probiotic for cholesterol lowering under supervision of Dr. B M Tamang [Assistant professor, Dept. of Microbiology].
Shankar Prasad Sha presented his work on “Haria: A traditionally rice fermented alcoholic beverage” supervised by Dr Nagendra Thakur [Assistant professor, Dept. of Microbiology].
The three papers have been published in “International Journal of Agriculture and Food Science Technology”. Krishi Sanskriti also evaluated the delegates for the best poster presentation and oral presentation. Out of the 111 presenters, the award for Best Oral presentation was given to Kriti Ghatani from the Department of Micrbiology, Sikkim University, the release mentions.
“The scholars are highly indebted to their founding Vice Chancellor Prof. Mahendra P. Lama for introducing term paper presentation in core paper of their subjects. They acknowledge the present Vice Chancellor Dr TB Subba; Registrar and Professor, Dr JP Tamang; Fellow Academic, Dr CB Sunwar; Associate and Assistant Professors of Microbiology Department and Dakshita Lawer from the finance section”, the release adds.

Prof TB Subba takes charge as new VC of Sikkim University

ANUSHA GURUNG
GANGTOK, 18 Oct: The Induction Programme for Sikkim University’s new Vice Chancellor Professor Tanka B Subba and the annual awards ceremony was held today here at Chintan Bhawan.
The new VC, Prof Subba, was a Professor in the Department of Anthropology and former Dean of North Eastern Hill University, Shillong and is an honorary Director of Indian Council of Social Sciences North East zone. Prof Subba is a respected academic, well known for his work on sociology and anthropology of the ethnic communities of the Eastern Himalaya.
Addressing the faculty and students at the close of the programme which stretched the whole day, Prof Subba kept his address very brief and outlined the his priorities and approach to the responsibility he now shoulders.
Keeping his address short and witty, Prof Subba thanked the SU faculty and students and the Sikkimese and congratulated his predecessor for the achievements he has secured for the new university, admitting that “the bar” has been set high for his tenure here. However, he added, the evolution will continue and pointed out that everything, systems and institutions, should continue evolving... changing and improving.
He commented that there were some programmes at the SU which were definitely good and will be retained, adding that some schemes/ programmes were not so good and will be reconsidered and rounded up by stressing that some practises/ programmes were unacceptable and will be “discontinued and abandoned”.
Concluding his address with the admission that the process of evolution will require support from all quarters, he qualified his comment by stressing that support will be called in not just from the employees and students of the university, but also the Sikkimese at large, the media and the ruling government.
Earlier, Registrar, Sikkim University, Prof Jyoti Prakash Tamang, presented the achievements of the former Vice Chancellor. “Today is a historical day for Sikkim University since this is the last official address by the founding Vice Chancellor Prof MP Lama, who has faced many hurdles in establishing this university”, Mr Tamang said.
Prof Lama, who also addressed the induction programme, spoke at length about all the university has achieved under his stewardship and delved at length how the university has been denied its campus land at Yangang thus far.
In his a presentation on “Ethos, Vision and Orientations and Achievements of Sikkim University”, he said that “Sikkim University is truly a national university with local ethos”.
“Our mission is to make Sikkim University known for academic and research excellence. Earlier, our colleges did not have proper teachers or even basic infrastructure. You will find a huge difference in the colleges today”, said Prof Lama.
“People say that this university is against the local people which is not at all true, in fact, 58% of the non-teaching staff are from the state itself,” he added. On transparency, he contended that this has been consistently maintained and stated that SU is the only University that has used 94% of development grants; except for the land, he stressed.
Land allocation for the university has been a hotly contested issue between the university, the land owners and the State Government.
On the land issue, he said that many people thought it would not be possible for the university to function without a dedicated campus, “but we showed that without land also we can do everything”.
“We don’t destroy the identity of the people who give their land. In fact we conserve it, as they are giving land for a constructive purpose and not for a destructive purpose. In the next few months the University will definitely get the land as I am now leaving,” he added.
He thanked the visitors, HRDD Government of India, University Grants Commission for their “unstinted support, unflinching loyalty and warm fellow feeling”.
A film on Sikkim University by the Films and Television Institute of India [FTII] was also screened on the day. A book titled “Climate Change and Sustainability in the Mountain Areas: Scope and challenges for regional cooperation and integration” was released by Prof Subba and Prof Lama.
Awards were given to the best teachers, best students, best photography awards while students who have spent the most time in the library and people who have done selfless service till date were also awarded.

Sikkim Univ Executive Council ‘breached rules of natural justice’, VC ‘string-puller’ of illegal actions

SIKKIM STATE HUMAN RIGHT COMMISSION COMES DOWN STRONG ON SIKKIM UNIVERSITY AND VC OVER ILLEGAL TERMINATION OF TEACHERS

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION RECOMMENDS CANCELLATION OF TERMINATION ORDERS AND CLEARANCE OF ‘ILLEGALLY WITHHELD’ SALARIES; WANTS PROF. LAMA TO PAY COMPENSATION FROM HIS OWN POCKET

GANGTOK, 27 Sept: Two former Assistant Professors with the Sikkim University who were hounded for having protested what they saw as unfair practises, a stand which isolated them and then brought the stigma of getting terminated from service 15 days before their contract ran out, were served sweet justice by the Sikkim State Human Rights Commission today. In its order issued today, the Commission has not only recommended that the SU Executive Council’s decision to terminate their services be “forthwith cancelled”, but also identified Vice Chancellor Prof Mahendra P Lama as being the “string-puller” of the entire illegality and recommended that he “personally” pay out compensation awarded by the Commission to the affected teachers.
The case relates to the complaint filed with the State Human Rights Commission by Rajendra Prasad, Manoranjan Mishra, Shailendra Kumar Mishra and Tapas Bain challenging the decision of the Executive Council of Sikkim University to terminate the services of Mr. Prasad and Mr. Mishra and the continuing refusal of the University authorities to clear their salaries or issue them experience certificates. The terminated duo were removed from service on 16 March 2012 on the recommendation of the Executive Council [made the same day in Delhi] on the grounds of misconduct while the contracts of Mr. Mishra and Mr. Bain had already run on 27 February 2012.
In a strongly worded, 24-page order released today, Justice AN Ray, Chairperson, Sikkim State Human Rights Commission, has recommended that “Sikkim University, its Executive Council and all concerned office bearers, employees and staff do forthwith cancel the proceedings and decisions of Executive Council dated 16/3/2012, New Delhi as it is a product of illegal initiation of proceedings and was reached in breach of rules of natural justice”.
The Executive Council’s pusillanimity in allowing the VC to settle scores established, the set of recommendations goes on to direct that the SU forthwith release the “illegally withheld” salaries of the four petitioners. The University, citing various reasons, all of which have been dismissed by the Commission as untenable, had withheld the final salary dues of the four complainants.
These dues work out to Rs. 75,400 for Mr. Prasad [for Feb and March], Rs. 77,268 for Mr. Mishra [Feb and March], Rs. 36,252 for Mr. Shailendra Mishra [Feb 2012] and Rs. 35,552 for Mr. Bain [Feb 2012].
Earlier in the order, Justice Ray also observes: “There is absolutely nothing which prevents the University from paying the improperly withheld salaries. Any delay in this matter will be a downright matter of shame”.
The Commission has also recommended that the University immediately issue Experience Certificates to all four Assistant Professors.
The order then moves to the Commission’s recommendations on compensation. “Mahendra P Lama do personally pay out of his own funds compensation for illegal actions initiated and persisted in by him to the prejudice and loss of the petitioners to the extent of Rs. 2,44,000 in the following breakup: a) Rs. 1,20,000 forthwith to Rajendra Prasad; b) Rs. 1,20,000 forthwith to Manoranjan Mishra; c) Rs. 2,000 forthwith to Shailendra Mishra; d) Rs. 2,000 forthwith to Tapas Bain,” the order records.
While explaining the compensation angle, Justice Ray observes: “Withheld salary is not compensation but satisfaction of a debt that the University should discharge from its own resources immediately.”
Its decision to recommend that Prof Lama pay out the compensation from “his own funds” is drawn from the Commission’s “power to recommend payment of compensation by any person in authority at the material time”.
When it comes to the present case, the Commission underlines: “For example, it is found that the whole game was played by Lama and the rest of the University was led by him in this matter...”
The recommendation for compensation made, the Commission has further recommended that “as security for due payment by Mahendra P Lama, the Sikkim University its Executive Council and all it office bearers and employees do withhold from the current and future dues, if any, of Mahendra P Lama from the University a sum of Rs. 2,44,000/- and that they do make the payments as recommended in item IV above to the persons mentioned unless Lama makes full and complete payment by 15/11/2012”.
The order offers the complainants some sense of closure on the stigma attached to them because of the now established illegal manner in which the Executive Council terminated their services. Admittedly, the Human Rights Commission does not have “compulsive authority”, but as Justice Ray records, “...the strength of the recommendation is founded not upon compulsive authority, but upon the democratic pillars of reasonableness, correct setting out of facts and sufficiently persuasive quality of analysis in the recommending order”.
The case in question is the witch-hunt which hounded the four ever since they submitted a petition to the Executive Council of the University on 27 February 2012 challenging the recruitment process undertaken by the Vice Chancellor. Their decision to release copies of the complaint petition to the press was seen as an “anti University campaign” and the Executive Council in its meeting called by the VC in Delhi on 16 March 2012 decided the “punitive action shall have to be taken against those persons who try/ tried to defame the University on baseless grounds”. The EC then, allegedly after “prolonged deliberations”, decided that the services of Mr. Prasad and Mr. Mishra be discontinued with immediate effect.
Interestingly, at the same meeting, the EC also discussed the complaint submitted with it by the said faculty members.
The action against Mr. Prasad and Mr. Mishra began earlier on 06 March 2012 when they were served a show cause notice, “with the approval of the Vice Chancellor”, by the Registrar Jyoti P Tamang making an explanation call for breach of privilege because two newspapers [Samay Dainik and NOW!] had published details of their representation to the Executive Council.
The Registrar is not authorised to serve show cause notices to teaching faculty and as the Human Rights Commission has recorded, “there is no doubt that all these incidents took place at the behest of Lama”.
The served teachers responded by informing the Registrar that his show cause lacks authority, and the next they heard was of the termination of their services.
“Shocking indeed it is,” the Commission records of this sequence and conduct.
About the Executive Council’s eventual decision, the Commission records: “The Commission is not sitting in appeal over the decision of the Executive Council. But if findings are reached on no material at all, the decision is vitiated as perverse and discriminatory”.
The Commission observes that there is nothing, “absolutely nothing at all”, to show that the Executive Council when it met in New Delhi on 16 March 2012 had any material before it to “jump to the conclusion that the press releases were made by Rajendra”.
“The finding of releases to Press by the teachers was no more than a guess work by the Executive Council on 16/3/2012. It might have been a strong guess but it was nothing more than guess. The Executive Council was not betting on a horse at a racing track. They were terminating employments of serious teachers with stigma to whom the profession is bread and butter,” the Justice underlines.
This insensitivity and ignorance notwithstanding, the EC also bungled is not providing the terminated teachers a chance to defend themselves [a right enshrined in the Sikkim University Act] and thereby denying them natural justice. “It is today clear Indian Law that the employment of a public servant cannot be terminated with imputation of misconduct without observing the rules of natural justice,” the Human Right Commission order points out.
The Commission has also noticed that in the entire drama, “there is no opinion of Lama on record that immediate action is necessary. Though Lama now appears to have been the sole string puller behind everybody...”
It will be interesting to see how the University, as an institution, responds to the Human Rights Commission recommendations and what corrective measures, if any, it initiates. The University has been noticeable casual in attending to this case, with the final two-day hearing of the case – 21 and 22 February - having no representation of the University despite adequate notice. On 21 February, the SU counsel intimated the Commission that she was unwell and even her junior advocate was absent. As Justice Ray records, a University letter informed that the Junior Advocate had gone elsewhere and a letter seeking adjournment was left at the desk of his private secretary a day earlier and no one represented the University on the final two days. “It is unsatisfactory and inexcusable. But it is their business,” the Justice records.

Prof Lama recaps SU’s achievements of first 5 years

…OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCES NAME OF PROF TANKA B SUBBA AS NEW VC
GANGTOK, 24 Sept: Prof Tanka Bahadur Subba has been appointed the new Vice Chancellor of Sikkim University. A respected anthropologist, Prof Subba is the head of the Department of Anthropology at North-Eastern Hill University [NEHU], Shillong, at present and was also a member of the first Academic Council of Sikkim University. He is expected to join SU in a few days.
Announcing the appointment of the second Vice-Chancellor of the university, the present incumbent, Prof Mahendra P Lama, also today declared the ISO 9001 certification bagged by Sikkim University recently.
Prof Lama mentioned that being a young university, it was a proud moment for Sikkim University to have received the ISO certification, highlighting that this was a recognition of the team work that the university has enjoyed in the five years it has been around.

VC’s extravagance, if curtailed, could have sponsored free education at SU, student group contends

GANGTOK, 02 July: A group of Sikkim University students, some of whom have earlier been allegedly harassed by the University authorities for their support towards protesting former faculty members, have come up with fresh allegations against the VC, this time accusing him of extravagant spending on networking on a scale which should rather have been invested in assisting students in their education.
The group contends that dinner parties hosted by Prof Lama through his tenure could have cost the university anything in the vicinity of Rs 72,00,000.
None of these dinner parties were organized in non-star hotels and included cultural programmes and attendance of at least 100 guests including the university’s members, the group contends.
The VC visited China along with many other countries which makes for an average of at least 6-8 such foreign trips per year incurring expenditure amounting to Rs 40,00,000 in his 5-year tenure while the cost of his domestic travels have been estimated to have cost around Rs 22,40,000, by the group.
“Recently the President of India was under scrutiny and criticism for her foreign trips and expenditure even though her trips can be justified for maintaining friendly relations with other nations,” the students point out, questioning how, in the light of such accountability, can the VC justify such expenses.
Further, the release mentions that in August 2011, Prof Lama left the quarter at DPH area provided by the State Government and shifted to a rented bungalow which commands a hefty rent and has also received expenses by way of beautification.
Another “unnecessary expenditure”, according to the student group, is the hosting of the result declaration programme in star-rated hotels. The University has its own hall with all the required facilities but University programmes are hosted in hotels, which burdens the University with at least Rs. 50,000 for each event which totals to Rs. 5,00,000 in five years, it is further alleged.
The students contend that the total of all such expenditures amounting to approximately Rs. 1.80 crore is sufficient to provide free education to all the 400-500 students of the University for five years. On this, they have stated that few of the scholarships mentioned in the prospectus are actually implemented in practice and the funds used in such ‘reckless expenditure’ by the VC could be utilized in providing such benefits to the students of the University instead.
“We would like to clearly state that our statement is not against the Chair and we mean no disrespect to the chair of the Vice Chancellor but our complaint is against the individual,” the release states.
“We are looking forward to the New Vice Chancellor who will be less selfish and publicity crazy and who shall put the students as his priority,” they state.
The group of students who have issued the quoted press statement are: Mahendra Prasad Gurung, Ugen Bhutia, Rajiv Rai, Suman Das Rai and Sandeep Chhetri, all enrolled in the SU.

SU public appeal seeks contributions for museum and archives projects

GANGTOK, 02 July: Sikkim University has appealed to the public at large to donate old manuscripts, artefacts and books of historical value and other literature in various forms available. 
A press release from the University informs that this is being done with a view to collect these rare items and make use of them for larger academic purpose and knowledge generation and sharing. It is also being designed and done to conserve them scientifically in the University premises.
If the University gets adequate number of such items, it even plans to devote a fully acknowledged section to the donating individual or institution in the University’s Library and Museum, the release states.
Suggestions on enriching the Library and Museum are also welcome. Please contact the following management professionals.
For Library: Dr   Tamal Guha, Librarian, Central library, Sikkim University, Samdur, 6th Mile, PO Tadong, Sikkim. Ph :  03592-251060, e-mail : tkguha@yahoo.com
For Museum: Ms Sangmu Thendup, Assistant Professor, Sikkim University Museum Project, School of Planning and Policy Studies, Sikkim University, Samdur, 6th Mile, PO Tadong, Sikkim. Ph :  03592-251339, e-mail : sangmo.t@gmail.com

PG courses in 5 core subjects to commence at SGC on 10 July

COST TO BE BORNE BY HRDD FOR THIS YEAR
GANGTOK, 25 June: Post Graduate courses in five core subjects [not offered by the Sikkim University thus far] are all set to begin from this academic session itself as assured by the Sikkim University and the Human Resource Development Department while resolving a student protest some time ago. The first batch of MA courses in English, Political Science, History, Commerce and Mathematics will begin from 10 July 2012 [when the new semester of the Sikkim University begins] at the Sikkim Government College, Tadong. This is the arrangement for the first year, following which the it shall be taken over by Sikkim University as per the agreement signed between the University and the State Government, informs a press communique issued by the Director [Higher Education], HRDD, today.
Students seeking admission in the aforementioned subjects can download the application form from the official website of HRDD (www.sikkim-hrdd.gov.in).
While speaking to NOW! some days back, the HRDD Secretary, CS Rao, informed that the syllabus for the academic session 2012-13 has been finalized by the Sikkim University and that the accommodation for classes and teaching faculties will be managed by the State government for the current academic year.
The department will shortlist and conduct interviews for the required teachers from within and outside the state for a period of one year and will engage some lecturers and faculty from Sikkim Government College, Tadong, as well to cater to the immediate requirements, he said.
HRD department approached the Sikkim University for establishment support and the Sikkim University is ready to extend support to some extent, he added. The final modalities on recruiting teaching faculty and other support staff and the syllabus will be taken up after the budget session, the Secretary further said.

SU Executive Council visit marred by agitating parents and guardians

GANGTOK, 03 June: An effigy of Sikkim University Vice-Chancellor, Prof Mahendra P Lama, was burned by a group of agitated parents and guardians of Sikkim University students in front of a rented building of the University at Saramsa on Saturday evening. The incident took place as some members of the SU Executive Council were inspecting SU buildings.
Earlier in the day, Student’s Union of Sikkim [SUS] members, joined by parents and guardians of students along with members of different organizations, also met the EC members at the Science Block at Gairi Gaon, Tadong, and later submitted their eight-point charter of demand to EC members at the Saramsa building.
An SUS member informed that the EC members have assured to look into the issues raised by them and take it up at the executive council meeting. He informed that the EC members said that the council could not take immediate decision on these matters as the decision will be taken by the VC. However, they assured, it is informed, to discuss the matter with the VC at the meeting.
Likewise, a group of local unemployed youth met the EC members at the SU guest house in Development Area and also submitted a memorandum mainly with two demands this morning. They have demanded the constitution of an executive council enquiry committee on the recruitment [teaching and non-teaching] related irregularities and further demanded to include one member each from SU affiliated colleges in the Executive Council and Academic Council.
It is informed that the EC members assured to look into all related matters seriously. Meanwhile, the VC Prof MP Lama remained absent from the scene.

SDF regrets recommending Prof MP Lama for SU VC post

EXTENDS SUPPORT TO STUDENTS’ MOVEMENT
GANGTOK, 21 May: The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) party has extended its support to the student agitation against the Vice Chancellor Professor Mahendra P Lama, holding up their demand to include various subjects at post graduate level beginning this academic session as “genuine”.
Press Advisor to the Chief Minister, former MP, Bhim Dahal, today admitted it was a mistake to have recommended Prof Lama as the Vice Chancellor for Sikkim University back in the year 2007. Mr. Dahal said that at that time, the State Government believed that a person from the hills with knowledge of the outside world would do well and work in the interest of Sikkim’s students. “Prof. Lama could have done so, but his priorities have been counterproductive,” he said.
“We regret recommending Prof Lama,” said Mr Dahal adding that “we all had rejoiced on his selection but now we are in remorse”.
He announced that SDF extends solidarity and support to Students Union of Sikkim (SUS) and students who have been protesting against the Sikkim University and the Vice Chancellor to press their eight-point charter of demands.
At the same time, he denied that the ruling party had any hand in instigating the students against the Vice Chancellor and Sikkim University. It is a student’s organization which has been functioning independently and protesting democratically, he said.
“Prof. Lama’s ego does not allow him to listen to his students. It has always been a hurdle between the students and their demands. How can we expect a rigid person like him to be sensible towards students’ demands?” commented Mr. Dahal.
The Vice Chancellor must fulfill their demands, he said adding that “those who oppose the students’ movement are adversaries to Sikkim’s future and we call them anti-Sikkimese”.
He informed that two MPs from Sikkim have already submitted representations to the Ministry of Human Resource Development demanding Prof Lama’s removal as early as possible by another VC who will work in the interests of the students and University in Sikkim.
He further said that the state government has been demanding Prof. Lama’s removal since July last year but he lingered on and created more problems for the students.
Responding to media queries on recommendations for the next Vice Chancellor, Mr Dahal said that the next Vice Chancellor should be a person of sound academic background with a zeal for ‘working in the interests of Sikkim and students’.
Not a single inch of land will be given without solving the resettlement issue, he said on the still pending handing over of the land for the SU campus in Yangang.

Agitation purely a students’ movement, maintains SUS

RETRACT ‘EDUCATED ILLITERATE’ STATEMENT OR APOLOGIZE, STUDENTS DEMAND
GANGTOK, 20 May: Students’ Union of Sikkim [SUS] on behalf of all students has urged the different political and non-political organizations not to add a different color to their movement. They maintained that demands and protest against the Sikkim University and the style of functioning of its vice chancellor were purely a students’ movement for the future of the coming generation.
Addressing a press conference today, SUS president, Jiwan Subba, stated that it was unfortunate that some organizations were trying to paint this student’s movement in a different light instead of aiding the movement. He further condemned the labeling of the student protest as ‘Ugrawad’ [extremism] by a local daily and also clarified that the allegation that the students did not allow ambulances to pass through during the blockade was totally false and condemnable.
“We totally condemn being labeled as ‘extremists’ and will take strict legal action against it. We plan to register a complaint with the Press Council of India on this matter,” Mr Subba said.
Further denying allegations of support from the ruling party to their movement, the student group stated that earlier these political parties were not interested in understanding their problems but are now trying to give political color to their movement.
On the Vice Chancellor Prof Mahendra P Lama’s reference to the protesting students as “educated illiterate”, Mr Subba demanded that the VC either retract his statement or apologize to the students immediately. “How has fighting for our rights made us illiterate or ignorant?” he questioned.
Mentioning that in this session more than 3,000 students from different colleges in the State will become graduates, he pointed out that most of these students do not have the option of pursuing further education in the State since the SU has not included the core subjects into the bouquet of PG courses being offered by it.
He stressed that this was not a minor issue but connected with the future of more than 3,000 students. If their demands are not taken seriously then a stronger movement will be launched involving school students as well, he further stated.
As the next step of the movement, the SUS submitted a memorandum to the Governor’s office detailing their 8-point charter of demands on Saturday.
SUS has also expressed its regrets to tourists, drivers and the general public for the inconvenience caused during their highway blockade on 18 May. At the same time, they also expressed gratitude on behalf of the students for their support to the student’s movement.

SU students thumb down VC’s response to charter of demands, block highway in protest

SU EVENTUALLY INKS AGREEMENT TO BEGIN P.G. COURSES BEING DEMANDED BY STUDENTS

BLOCKADE LIFTED AFTER WRITTEN UNDERTAKING TO ADDRESS DEMANDS AND ASSURANCE NOT TO VICTIMISE PROTESTING STUDENTS

GANGTOK, 18 May: Dissatisfied with the response of the Sikkim University Vice-Chancellor, Prof Mahendra P Lama, to their demands, students from all the three government degree colleges of Tadong, Namchi and Rhenock and Sikkim Law College led by Students’ Union of Sikkim [SUS] blocked the highway near 6th Mile, Tadong for around 8 hours today. There was much sloganeering, but no untoward incident transpired even though the situation did get heated and tense a couple of times down at 6th Mile today. There was also a strong police bandobast at the spot with the SP and DC keeping a close vigil themselves.
Students, who started to gather in front of the SU Administrative Block at 6th Mile here from around 10 AM with banners and placards announcing their demands, blocked the National Highway infront of the Administrative Block at around noon and continued till 8 PM. They poured out into the highway and stalled traffic when the VC remained unavailable for a meeting with them. Despite consistent demands of the students to meet the VC, Prof Lama remained absent from the scene throughout the day.
It was only after receiving a written assurance [see accompanying box] from the SU Registrar and HRDD Secretary on fulfillment of some of their demands that the blockade was eventually lifted. The HRDD has assured to take up the student demands with the Union HRD Ministry and SU.
In a major concession won by the agitating students, they will be receiving [starting this academic session itself] Post Graduate courses in regular subjects like Mathematics, English, Political Science, Education and Commerce which have been kept out of the 25 PG courses started by SU thus far.
Earlier, upon their arrival at the SU office, an SUS delegation including students from all three colleges, sat in a short meeting with the SU Registrar, Dr JP Tamang. The meeting, however, was not successful as the student’s representatives emerged from it claiming that neither the Registrar, nor any other SU official, was interested in addressing their demands and were “totally neglecting these demands”.
Except ambulances and vehicles with patients, all other vehicles were stranded for hours on either side of the highway. While some opted to take a long detour through Ranka, others resorted to transshipment, walking across the student picket to vehicles on the other side.
An eight-point demand charter had been earlier submitted to the Sikkim University Vice-Chancellor on 07 May along with a seven-day ultimatum for a positive response. The SUS president, Jiwan Subba, today informed that they received a letter from the Sikkim University only on 15 May which did not address any of the demands or issues raised by the students.
He alleged that the university is only stalling the issue by offering hollow consolations and not taking any concrete action. He further pointed out that the letter [issued by the Registrar] was back-dated for 12 May, inferring that this “only goes to show their ‘negligence and ignorance’ towards the student community”.
“Enough initiatives have been taken by the students, now we will not go to the VC again but will approach higher authorities in this matter,” he announced today.
He mentioned that among their eight demands, their main focus is on the demand for post graduation courses in History, Commerce, Education, English, Political Science, Tourism, Botany, Zoology, Regional language and in other regular courses running in SU affiliated colleges from the coming session and on the demand of 50% reservation for local students in post graduation and higher level studies.
Mr. Subba stressed that these two subjects are directly related with the students and their future as every student would not be able to go outside the state to pursue higher studies.
In the letter responding to the demand for regular post graduate courses, the University explains that the courses that it offers at present were “thoroughly discussed in the Academic and the Executive Council of Sikkim University and duly approved by the University Grants Commission”. It goes on to state that some of the remaining core courses that are taught in the colleges will be introduced in the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-2017) along with other courses with the permission of the Academic Council, Executive Council and the University Grants Commission.
On the demand for reservation of seats for students of Sikkim the letter states that the statute of Sikkim University “does not have any such provision”, for which it suggests that “the Sikkim University Act needs to be amended, possibility of which could be perhaps explored with the help of the Hon'ble Members of Parliament from Sikkim”.

AGREEMENT DOCUMENTS

The HRDD Department will conduct PG Courses in MSC Mathematics, MA in English, MA in Political Science, MA Education and Master in Commerce in the current Academic Session in the Government Degree College, Gangtok and the same courses will be conducted at the Sikkim University for the Second Year. The remaining courses shall be started in the next Academic Session- 2013-14 by the Sikkim University and HRDD Department.

The HRD Department will recommend and process for approval of MHRD, Government of India for 50% reservation of seats in PG, MPhil and PHD Courses for the local Students. The action taken by the HRD Department in this regard would be conveyed to the Sikkim University and Students Union of Sikkim periodically.

The minimum qualification for the admission to the PG Courses in the Government Degree College will be 45%. The intake seats will be decided by the Government of Sikkim and would be based on Merit list prepared as per the marks obtained in the Graduate Courses.

The students who were part of today’s agitation would not be victimised by the Sikkim University in any manner.

With regard to other demands placed by the students the same would be referred to Sikkim University immediately for necessary action in consultation with the Students Union of Sikkim.

The agreement has reference to the application dated 7^th May 2012 by the President Students Union of Sikkim.

Jointly signed by

Director (Higher Education), HRDD; and Registrar, Sikkim University

Counter Signed by: Secretary, Human Resource Development Department