SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Dec 15: The principals of Binod Bihari Mahto Koylanchal University (BBMKU) constituent colleges are divided over casting a vote in the Teachers Association poll scheduled on December 20.
12 colleges entitled to vote
The BBMKU has 13 constituent units, but principals of only 12 colleges are entitled to vote in a poll. SSLNT Women’s College Dhanbad principal Dr Sharmila Rani is not a voter.
BBMKUTA election committee coordinator Dr KM Singh said Dr Sharmila Rani does not belong to the teaching cadre. “The JPSC has appointed her. So, she is not a voter,” he added.
“Registrar, finance officer (FO), dean of students welfare (DSW) and deans of the university can participate as they belong to the teaching cadre,” said Dr KM Singh.
However, among 12 principals, some said they would participate, while some said they had yet to decide.
BBMKUTA poll to be held only for the post of 5 vice-president posts. The president, general secretary, secretary (5) and treasurer have already been elected unopposed.
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Principal of PK Roy Memorial College
Dr Kavita Singh, the principal of PK Roy Memorial College Dhanbad, said she would cast her vote. She said she had voted in panchayat to Parliament elections, so there is no doubt in participating in the teachers’ body poll.
Dr Singh, vice-president of the Post Graduate Teachers Association (PGTA), said she also requests all teachers to vote in the election.
RSP College Jharia Principal
RSP College Jharia Principal Dr JN Singh, senior lecturer in BBMKU, said that if he found his name on the voter list, he would vote. “Five candidates approached me for a vote, and I assured them,” he said.
Principal of KB College Bermo
However, Dr KP Sinha, Principal of KB College Bermo, said he had not decided on casting a vote. “Being a teacher, I have the right to vote but will decide after consulting other principals as it is hard to leave office,” he added.
Sindri College Sindri Principal
Sindri College Sindri Principal Dr KK Pathak is upbeat for voting in the election. “I am a voter and would cast a vote. But interestingly, no candidate for vice president has sought my vote so far,” he said.
Gomia College Principal
Gomia College Principal Dr Sarita Srivastava is also debating casting a vote. “If the college remains open on December 20, going to Dhanbad to vote will be challenging, but I will try my best. Dr Srivastava is a senior teacher’s leader. In 2013, she contested the Vinoba Bhave University, Hazaribagh, Teachers Association poll, but she did not compete in the first election of BBMKTA in 2018.
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