The Ministry of Education has appointed Professor Amrendra Kumar Das of IIT Guwahati as the new Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Tezpur University, even as it constituted a high-level committee to probe the ongoing crisis and allegations concerning the institution’s functioning. An official communication issued by the Department of Higher Education confirmed that Prof. Das, currently serving in the Department of Design at IIT Guwahati, has taken charge as Pro-Vice-Chancellor with immediate effect. His service terms will be governed by the Tezpur University Act, Statutes, and Ordinances, and the appointment has been approved by the competent authority.
Simultaneously, the Ministry issued an Office Memorandum setting up an Enquiry Committee under Section 9 of the Tezpur University Act, 1993. The committee will examine issues related to the prevailing administrative turmoil, including allegations against the Vice-Chancellor.The three-member panel will be headed by Prof. Lokendra Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Manipur University, and includes Prof. Jagadish Kumar Patnaik, Vice-Chancellor of Nagaland University, and Prof. Manish R. Joshi, Secretary of the University Grants Commission (UGC).As per the directive, the Vice-Chancellor of Tezpur University has been asked to recuse himself from all official duties and proceed on leave until the completion of the enquiry.The committee’s mandate includes a thorough review of the earlier Fact-Finding Committee report submitted to the Chancellor’s office. It will also assess the circumstances leading to resignations and changes in key university positions, and may interact with stakeholders, inspect documents, and scrutinise any other relevant matters.
The panel has been given a maximum of three months to submit its findings. The UGC will provide secretarial support, while Tezpur University authorities have been instructed to extend full cooperation.These interventions mark a significant move by the Centre to restore administrative stability and address concerns over governance practices at the central university.