M A I N   N E W S

Vice-Chancellor of HP varsity resigns
Rakesh Lohumi
Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 9
Dr S.D. Sharma, controversial Vice-Chancellor of Himachal Pradesh University, today made an unceremonious exit from office, tendering his resignation after being indicted by the two inquiries ordered by the Governor, Mr V.S. Kokje, into the financial and administrative irregularities in the institution.

According to sources in Raj Bhavan, Dr Sharma had sent in his resignation yesterday along with his comments on the findings of the two inquiry reports. Mr Kokje accepted Dr Sharma’s resignation today after consultation with Mr Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister, who returned from New Delhi this evening. The Chief Minister, who was accompanied by Mrs Asha Kumari, Education Minister, drove straight to Raj Bhavan from the helipad and discussed the issue with Mr Kokje for an hour. It was in fact only a formality and the fate of Dr Sharma had been sealed the day when the two inquiry committees had indicted him.

Although Vice-Chancellors have bowed out of office without completing the term in the past, it is for the first time in the history of the university that an incumbent has been forced to quit after being indicted for financial and administrative irregularities and misuse of emergency powers. With the exit of Dr Sharma , the uncertainty prevailing on the campus for the past over six months will be over.

Dr Sharma’s 26-month stint in the office had been full of controversies and things reached a flashpoint when the question paper printing scam came to light. Various student unions had started demanding his removal much before the change of the government in the state. The Congress had made the alleged irregularities in appointments and the question paper scam major election issues and it initiated a Vigilance probe into the matter soon after assuming office. The action put the government and Raj Bhavan on the course of a direct confrontation but the situation was saved as Mr Kokje, appreciating the government’s concern for bringing those guilty for various irregularities to book, suo motu ordered two separate inquiries. The government even promulgated an ordinance to amend the University Act to empower itself to institute inquiries into the affairs of the institution. Hitherto, only the Governor could do so.

It is hoped that the academic atmosphere will be restored on the campus and the running battle between the Congress and the BJP over the affairs of the university will be over.