Bhagalpur: Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University vice-chancellor N.K. Jha on Thursday terminated the services of 133 guest lecturers in different constituent colleges following which the lecturers decided to launch a movement.

Illegalities were found in the appointment of guest lecturers during the tenure of former TMBU vice-chancellor Nilambuj Verma (2013-14) and Raj Bhavan had recommended appropriate action. Over a 100 guest lecturers were appointed without any advertisement being published. Besides, some contract employees were given permanent jobs. Three colleges were also made varsity constituents for a period of two years. The varsity syndicate, too, authorised VC Jha to take suitable action, TMBU public relations officer Manoj Kumar said.

A high-level inquiry committee led by Justice Akilesh Chandra was constituted and the committee confirmed irregularities. The committee, in its report, observed that all work carried out during Verma's tenure as VC was unconstitutional and illegal.

On the basis of the committee's report, Raj Bhavan instructed TMBU to report after conducting proper action. VC Jha was not available for comment but sources in his office said the action was taken following the directive from Raj Bhavan. The sources said the varsity would proceed against Verma and the then varsity registrar and had already started legal formalities after obtaining a green signal from Raj Bhavan. Charges of conducting illegal appointments and financial irregularities were levelled against the then VC and registrar.

Sources said that all 17 employees whose services the varsity had confirmed during Verma's tenure as VC would also be terminated.

The removed guest lecturers are furious. Anand Ajad, president of the guest lecturers' association, said they were appointed to improve the academic environment in 29 constituent colleges that were worst hit. He said most colleges did not have teachers. "The situation is still the same. With guest lecturers, there was some improvement but now students would have to suffer again," he said. He said the association members would call on the VC and thereafter chart their future course of action.