Modi govt suspends DU V-C Yogesh Tyagi, cites ‘administrative lapses’
EducationIndia

Modi govt suspends DU V-C Yogesh Tyagi, cites ‘administrative lapses’

Tyagi had been embroiled in a controversy last week when he made two appointments, registrar and pro-vice chancellor, despite being on medical leave.

   
DU Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Tyagi with President Ramnath Kovind | Source: DU handbook

DU Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Tyagi with President Ramnath Kovind | Source: DU handbook

New Delhi: The Ministry of Education Wednesday suspended Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Tyagi, a day after the Visitor, President Ram Nath Kovind, gave his nod for an inquiry against the V-C. 

According to a letter issued by the ministry, the V-C “has been placed under suspension with immediate effect until further orders as he may influence/ coerce the witness or tamper with material records of the university”.  

For the time that Tyagi has been placed under suspension, Prof P.C. Joshi, who was the acting pro-VC at the University, will take over. 

The letter mentions various administrative lapses for which the V-C is being probed. Issued by Chandra Shekhar Kumar, joint secretary, education ministry, the letter says that various statutory posts such as pro-VC; director, South Campus; dean of colleges; controller of examinations among others have been vacant for a long time in the university. Despite various reminders from the government, the V-C failed to fill up the positions, the letter said. 

It also adds that vigilance cases and sexual harassment cases have been pending in the university for more than two years and it shows the “insensitivity of the VC in being unable to resolve the issues”. 

Tyagi caught up in a row 

While he is being probed over administrative lapses, the immediate trigger of the development, is the controversy that erupted last week when Tyagi made two appointments — the registrar and pro-vice chancellor — despite being on medical leave.

Tyagi appointed Prof P.C. Jha as registrar on 21 October, on the same day the university’s executive council (EC) was supposed to hold a meeting to appoint a registrar and financial officer following all statutes and provisions.

The EC went ahead with the meeting and, in turn, appointed Vikash Gupta as registrar. 

In response, Tyagi appointed Prof Geeta Bhatt as pro-VC, even though Prof. P.C. Joshi had already been acting as the pro-VC. This gave rise to a power struggle within the university, which had two registrars and two pro-VCs in two days. 

The education ministry quickly intervened and reversed Tyagi’s orders, asking him to present a fitness certificate if he wanted to rejoin work. 


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