NPU VC Dr Dinesh Kumar Singh stripped of administrative, financial powers by Lok Bhavan

THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK

Daltonganj, September 10: Nilamber Pitamber University (NPU) Vice Chancellor Dr Dinesh Kumar Singh has been stripped of his administrative and financial powers by Lok Bhavan, Ranchi, in a significant development that will curtail his role in the university’s day-to-day functioning.

An order to this effect reached the university on Wednesday and was made public later in the evening, according to university sources.

Dr Singh confirmed that Lok Bhavan has ceased his administrative and financial powers.

“Under the orders of Lok Bhavan, I will look after the routine work of the university,” he said.

“As for policy decisions, initiation of disciplinary action against any errant staff member, or any other matter involving financial stakes or administrative involvement, permission or approval from Lok Bhavan will be mandatory,” the VC said.

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He clarified that salary and pension releases would not be affected, as these are routine matters.

Lok Bhavan action follows growing friction

The action against Dr Singh comes amid growing criticism of his functioning and reported friction with various stakeholders, including student bodies and sections within the university administration.

University sources said the VC’s involvement in the affairs of affiliated colleges had also attracted criticism. The controversy surrounding A K Singh College, Japla, was cited as one of the key instances.

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According to sources, Dr Singh’s decision to block the Science stream for the 2026-30 session at the college was viewed by some local stakeholders as vindictive and retrogressive.

The VC, however, has maintained a different position, arguing that his intervention helped revive the prospects of the government degree college at Japla, which had faced an admission crunch a year earlier. He claimed that the college subsequently secured several hundred admissions.

Sources also said Dr Singh’s actions concerning a degree college at Tarhassi had caused resentment, with a veteran Congress leader reportedly taking exception to the move.

Student bodies had raised allegations

Dr Singh joined Nilamber Pitamber University on March 3, 2025, and faced opposition from various student bodies within a month of assuming charge.

Student organisations accused him of being intolerant towards what they described as genuine student demands. They also levelled allegations of corruption and financial irregularities against him, which Dr Singh has consistently rejected.

Student bodies had particularly raised questions over the university’s examination department and alleged irregularities in the handling of university funds.

The allegations were also brought to the notice of Lok Bhavan, sources said.

Dr Singh, however, maintained that he had worked in accordance with financial rules and regulations.

VC cites infrastructure improvements

While facing criticism over his administrative style, Dr Singh has pointed to several initiatives undertaken during his tenure.

He claimed that his personal efforts helped the university secure independent electricity and drinking water facilities. The university had earlier been dependent on the builder’s electricity connection, while the campus lacked a deep-boring facility for water, he said.

Sources, however, said his frequent reshuffling of professors-in-charge, university officers and assistants contributed to his unpopularity within the institution.

The VC’s intervention in the governing bodies of some affiliated colleges was also questioned by sections of the university, sources said.

Differences with finance adviser

University sources also claimed that Dr Singh’s professional relationship with the finance adviser had deteriorated considerably, resulting in a serious deficit of trust and confidence between the two.

The development comes against the backdrop of an audit of the university ordered by Finance Minister Radha Krishna Kishore.

Sources said the audit was conducted recently by a team of experts from the state Finance Department. According to university sources, the team detected alleged financial irregularities and instances of financial indiscipline.

Sources further alleged that the audit pointed to the diversion of government funds through financial misconduct.

Dr Singh, however, maintained that he had followed the applicable financial rules and regulations.

VC highlights role in degree distribution

Responding to criticism of his tenure, Dr Singh also pointed to the university’s efforts to distribute degrees to thousands of pass-outs ahead of the 2025 convocation.

“Our examination department officials worked till late at night in those days of degree preparation and distribution. It’s all forgotten now,” Dr Singh said.

Uncertain road ahead

The latest order is significant as it curtails the administrative and financial authority of a serving regular VC well before the completion of his three-year tenure.

University sources said this was not the first such instance at NPU. They recalled that the administrative and financial powers of another VC had also been ceased around six months before the completion of his tenure.

With his powers now restricted, Dr Singh is expected to function primarily in a routine capacity, while major administrative and financial decisions will require approval from Lok Bhavan.

The development has also triggered speculation over his future at the university. Sources said the options before him were limited, with resignation or continuation under the curtailed powers emerging as the two possibilities.

However, there has been no official indication so far that Dr Singh intends to resign.

Frequent transfers become a point of contention

Questions have also been raised over the functioning of the administrative machinery under Dr Singh.

There are two contrasting views within the university. One section believes that frequent transfers and reshuffling of officers prevented them from settling into their assignments and delivering effectively. The university’s examination department has been cited as a prominent example.

Another point of criticism has been the change of leadership at selected affiliated colleges, which critics claim generated more controversy than appreciation.

Dr Singh, on the other hand, has maintained that the reshuffling of officers and professors-in-charge was primarily necessitated by the university’s shortage of human resources.

The latest Lok Bhavan order now places the VC’s administrative and financial decision-making powers under a tighter approval mechanism, marking a major turning point in his tenure at Nilamber Pitamber University.