Avinash Azad
Early Times Report
JAMMU, Jan 21: Reprimanded by court for replacing research supervisor for four PhD scholars, the University of Jammu is likely to replace guide for two scholars, who had submitted their thesis in April 2015.
Well-placed sources informed Early Times merely a month after, the high court stayed university's order to replace Prof Nirmal Singh as research supervisor, latter is mulling to replace same professor as research supervisor for two more scholars.
"PhD scholar Chanderkanta and Neeraj Jandyal enrolled under Prof Nirmal Singh and had submitted their thesis on April 27, 2015 in presence of their guide, Prof Singh the then Deputy Chief Minister, likely to get new guide for their viva", sources said, adding that the decision was taken in recently held Departmental Research Committee (DRC).
However, Prof Archana Kesar, who today stepped-down as Dean Research, had disapproved the proposal of DRC regarding change of guide. "Few days back the department of History forwarded its recommendations seeking approval of Dean Research, but she refused to approve it", they added.
Terming DRC's decision, as pre-planned conspiracy of University of Administration, the sources said that the DRC has been constituted to fulfill dictum of the administration. "Usually, a DRC comprises of Professors, Associate Professors and Assistant Professors. But RDC in department of History, despite having number of senior Associate Professors, only a Professor and Assistant Professor are running the show", they said.
According to Prof. Shailender Singh Jamwal, Head Department of History University of Jammu, till recently held DRC, the department was running in violation of norms. Being asked about the replacement of Dr Nirmal Singh as research supervisor of the scholars, he said that the steps were being taken after VC's directions. "Nobody was aware about the rules, our Vice Chancellor, Prof R D Sharma recently pointed out that being elected representative in State Assembly, Dr Singh can't be held research supervisor", he said.
However, being asked why he was allowed as guide, when he was Deputy Chief Minister and thesis of these scholars were submitted in month of April 2015. Defending JU's dictum, the Head said that earlier no body was aware about the rule. "He (Dr Nirmal Singh) has been contesting elections for past 20 years, neither had he sought permission from University nor he is on deputation", he added.
It is pertinent to mention here that in the same case, the high court on December 27, 2015 had stayed the orders of Jammu University's Registrar and Head of Department of History Department whereby it was directed that the scholars of Prof Nirmal Singh doing research under his guidance, were required to give choice for new supervisor and Prof Nirmal Singh (present Dy CM of J&K) was to be replaced. |
