Shillong, April 30: The fate of students pursuing higher studies in the privately-run CMJ University in the state appears to be hanging in the balance as Meghalaya governor R.S. Mooshahary has brought out various irregularities in the functioning of the university.

Mooshahary is also the visitor of the university, which was established through an act passed by the Meghalaya Assembly in 2009.

In a letter addressed to Chandra Mohan Jha, chairman CMJ Foundation, M.S. Rao, principal secretary to Mooshahary, raised several points on the irregularities in the functioning of the university.

“I am directed to state that on perusal of the records and information submitted by CMJ Foundation on the CMJ University, irregularities have been observed,” Rao said in the letter today.

The chancellor of the university appointed by the sponsor does not have the approval of the visitor, Rao said, adding that this was in violation of Section 14 (1) of the CMJ University Act, 2009.

“Consequently, all further actions of the CMJ University resulting from the appointment of the chancellor are illegal and void ab initio,” he stated. In the proposal submitted for appointment of the chancellor by CMJ Foundation in 2009, the bio-data of the recommended candidate — Chandra Mohan Jha — was enclosed stating that, “he is the director of a number of colleges within and outside Meghalaya, without clearly indicating their university affiliation”.

“One of these colleges, the Shillong Engineering and Management College, was de-affiliated by Nehu with effect from academic session 2011-2012,” Rao added.

He said the university has enrolled students in various courses. In 2010-11, 176 students were enrolled, in 2011-12 469 students and in 2012-13 2,734 students. “But all the above admissions are illegal,” Rao stated. The principal secretary said the university has awarded PhD degrees to 434 students during 2012-13 and enrolled 490 students for the PhD programme during 2012-2013. “On the other hand, the university has only 10 teachers with PhD. These enrolments and awarding of PhD degrees are in contravention of the UGC Regulation, 2009,” he added. At the same time, Rao said the university had issued a false and misleading newspaper advertisement on April 22, 2013 claiming that it had not yet awarded PhD degree to any of the students enrolled from Assam. “On the other hand, this office has reliable information that the CMJ University has awarded PhD degrees to candidates from Assam,” he said.

The university has also not submitted the annual reports to the visitor in violation of Section 45(3) of the act, he said adding that the university has acted in contravention of Section 52 of the act in respect of maintenance of standards and other related matters applicable to private universities. Hence, he said, the governor, being the university’s visitor, has issued directions to it for immediate compliance.

These include:

The CMJ University shall recall/withdraw all the degrees awarded so far and publish this fact in national and local newspapers at its own cost.

The CMJ Foundation shall submit a fresh proposal for appointment of the chancellor along with the correct bio-data of the candidate recommended and with supporting documents.

The university shall frame rules and procedures for admission into MPhil and PhD degree programmes, allocation of supervisor, course work, evaluation, assessment and other related matters, in accordance with the UGC Regulation, 2009.

No fresh admission of students shall be undertaken.by the university till compliance of the above instructions and till the appointment of the chancellor in accordance with Section 14 (l) of the act.

Jha has been given time till May 21 to comply with the above directives and submit a compliance report to the visitor.