New Delhi, March 31 The Ministry of Education has withdrawn the administrative and financial powers of the Director at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Kurukshetra, and has set up a high-level panel to review the functioning and leadership of the institution, according to officials.
NIT Kurukshetra Director BV Ramanna Reddy did not respond to queries on the issue.
"A three-member panel has been formed to review the work, progress, and affairs of NIT Kurukshetra, as well as the leadership role of the Director. The panel will examine the overall functioning of the institute, including governance, academic, and administrative functions, and review issues related to recruitment and promotion processes, handling of staff grievances, and complaints forwarded by the Central Vigilance Commission and other agencies," a senior MoE official said.
"While the enquiry is pending, the Director's administrative and financial powers have been withdrawn. The panel has been asked to submit its report within a month," the official added.
The panel will be headed by Anil Sahasrabudhe, chairman of the National Education Technology Forum (NETF). The other two members of the panel are M Madan Gopal, chairperson of the board of governors, VNIT, Nagpur, and KK Shukla, Director of MANIT, Bhopal.
"The committee will also assess institutional performance, including a decline in NIRF rankings, prolonged vacancies in key statutory and administrative positions (notably the registrar), and the exercise of administrative and financial powers, while examining the leadership and functioning of the director," the official said.
The Ministry has also directed the NIT Registrar to safeguard and provide all requisite records to the committee and to ensure full cooperation from all concerned faculty, staff, and other stakeholders.
The officials did not comment on the reasons behind the action.