Gauhati varsity V-C resigns, blames Govt

The resignation of Gauhati University Vice-Chancellor Amarjyoti Choudhury,

The resignation of Gauhati University Vice-Chancellor Amarjyoti Choudhury, after accusing the state Government of not providing him enough financial support to implement a vision plan, has landed the Congress-led Government in a spot, especially after Education Minister Ripun Bora termed the V-C8217;s move 8220;escapist8221;.Choudhury, who was handpicked by state Governor Ajai Singh after the term of the previous Vice-Chancellor ended amid controversies 10 months ago, tendered his resignation on Thursday saying he was unwilling to remain a 8220;Dhritarashtra8221; in the face of state Government apathy.

The Vice-Chancellor was particularly sore over the alleged silence of the state Government on a Rs 181-crore vision document he submitted in March, while not a single rupee of a Rs 25-crore grant announced by the Chief Minister had reached the university.

8220;Classrooms, hostels, library buildings and laboratories are all in a deplorable state. Boarders cannot live in dignity in the hostels. Rainwater seeps through the roof of the main library. The water supplied by the Government stinks. I have no right to remain a V-C when I cannot provide the minimum facilities,8221; Choudhury, justifying his resignation, said.

While the student community immediately reacted by protesting against the Government and pressed the V-C not to quit, it was Bora who added fuel to fire by coming out with a statement, terming the V-C an escapist.

Students under the banner of the Gauhati University PGSU and the All Assam Students8217; Union AASU went on to burn the effigy of the Education Minister. The AASU also demanded the minister8217;s unconditional apology to the V-C for his 8220;derogatory and defamatory8221; remarks.

Meanwhile, Governor Ajai Singh, who is also Chancellor of Gauhati University, on Friday rejected Choudhury8217;s resignation, but not before calling an emergent meeting of the Executive Council of the University to discuss the crisis.

A Raj Bhavan press note said the Governor called an emergent meeting of the University EC on Monday. Bora, Chief Secretary P C Sarma and the state Finance Secretary had been also asked to attend the meeting as special invitees.

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The meeting would discuss, among other things, 8220;major areas of concern8221; including finalising translation of the vision document prepared by the Vice-Chancellor in a time-bound manner.