Laksmisree: New role

Jamshedpur, Sept. 26: A day after Father Beni Ekka stepped down as the head of Kolhan University, Raj Bhavan appointed pro-vice chancellor Laksmisree Banerjee as acting vice chancellor of the Chaibasa-based varsity with immediate effect.

A communiqué issued by the Raj Bhavan secretariat this afternoon said the governor-cum-chancellor of universities was pleased to authorise Banerjee to perform the duties of a vice chancellor, in addition to her duties, till a regular appointment was made.

“Raj Bhavan asked me to work in dual capacity till a regular vice chancellor assumes office. I have accepted the offer,” Banerjee told The Telegraph. “All that was happening in the university was really painful. A university is a temple of higher learning and not a place for politicking or settling personal scores. Every one — from students, to teachers to administrators — has to follow the ideals and values of integrity and excellence,” she added.

Banerjee, who was appointed as the pro-vice chancellor of Kolhan University by former governor-cum-chancellor K. Sankaranarayanan said she had several plans that would take the newly constituted institute to new heights. “I wish to take the university forward and I will try to implement all these plans in the capacity of an acting vice chancellor,” she said.

Registrar S.S. Razi, who received a copy of the Raj Bhavan notification this afternoon, said today being Sunday, Banerjee would assume office from tomorrow.

On Thursday, Raj Bhavan issued a notification, asking Ekka to put in his papers within two days following allegations of financial misappropriation to the tune of Rs 21.53 lakh and several other irregularities against him.

He tendered his resignation to Governor M.O.H Farook yesterday.

Sources said Razi had complained to Raj Bhavan against Ekka. Razi had objected to Ekka’s style of functioning as the vice chancellor. Sources added that in the complaint, the registrar had pointed out several violations of Jharkhand State Universities Act-2000 by Ekka.