Gauhati Varsity VC withdraws resignation

Guwahati, Oct 1 (UNI) Gauhati University (GU) Vice-Chancellor(VC) Amarjyoti Choudhury today withdrew his resignation after the state government's assurance of releasing funds for the university at a GU Executive Committee (EC) meeting here.

The state government assured at a GU EC meeting at the Raj Bhavan here, convened by Governor and GU Chancellor Lt Gen. (retd) Ajai Singh, that it would release Rs 25 crore before December 31 this year.

The Chancellor also formed a four-member committee to take decisions and release funds on a priority basis for implementation of the 'vision document', submitted to the government by the VC earlier. A major crisis had erupted in GU, the premier varsity of the state when Prof Choudhury put in his papers on September 24, citing the government's 'apathy' towards the university and his consequent inability to revive the institution as the reason.

His resignation had led to sharp protests as he was viewed as the one person who could revive the GU, which was faced with a host of problems, from lack of infrastructure to outdated courses.

The state Governor had refused to accept Prof Choudhury's resignation and had called for the GU EC meeting today to discuss problems facing the university. The VC had, bowing to popular appeal, agreed to continue if the state government assured of timely release of funds for the university.

Education Minister Ripun Bora, the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary of the Finance department and Commissioner and Secretary, Higher Education, were also invited to today's meeting as special guests. Meanwhile, the protests against Prof Choudhury's resignation and the state government's attitude, particularly the education minister, continued across the state.

The All Assam Students' Union(AASU) activists burnt effigies of the Chief Minister and the education minister.

On the other hand, the Congress' student wing NSUI burnt effigies of AASU advisor Samujjal Bhattacharyya and AGP MP Sarbanada Sonowal, alleging that they were politicising the resignation issue.

UNI