SDF questions appointment of Tezpur University officer at Sikkim University

Gangtok: The Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) has raised strong objections to the appointment of Braja Bandhu Mishra as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Vice Chancellor of Sikkim University.
The party alleged major lapses in transparency and due diligence in the recruitment process.

The SDF said Mishra earlier faced allegations of financial irregularities and student-related controversies at Tezpur University.
Despite this, he reportedly secured a sensitive administrative post at Sikkim University without proper background verification.

According to the SDF, Mishra remained absent from his duties at Tezpur University for over two months.
During that same period, he applied for and interviewed for the OSD post and received unanimous approval.

Calling the quick appointment “highly suspicious,” the SDF said the move exposes serious flaws in institutional procedures.
The party added that the process, designed to protect public interest, failed to ensure accountability.

The SDF demanded that Sikkim University’s Executive Council explain how due diligence was conducted.
It also questioned why the university did not carry out a thorough background check before finalising the appointment.

“As a centrally funded university, Sikkim University owes full transparency to the people,” the SDF said.
The party asked why a sensitive post was processed with such haste and without reviewing the candidate’s past controversies.

The SDF also urged Tezpur University to reveal the status of any inquiries linked to campus unrest.
It said students and faculty deserve clarity instead of “quiet transfers and unanswered questions.”

The party said the incident reflects a deeper flaw in India’s higher education system.
Individuals facing serious allegations, it claimed, continue moving between institutions without accountability.

“Sikkim deserves clean governance and clean academic administration,” the SDF stated.
It added that any post involving financial responsibility must undergo strict scrutiny.

The SDF called for an immediate review of the appointment and full disclosure of the verification process.
It also sought an official statement from the authorities concerned.

“The people of Sikkim and the students of Sikkim University deserve nothing less,” the party said.