Tezpur, Assam (September 2025) — The Teachers’ Association of Tezpur University (TUTA) has called for the removal of Vice Chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh, alleging that he is responsible for serious financial and administrative irregularities that are damaging and degrading the academic and research atmosphere of the institution.
Allegations of Financial Mismanagement
TUTA submitted a memorandum to Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya (who also serves as Chancellor of the university) and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, specifying several allegations, including:
• Irregularities in procurement methods for the purchase of materials and contracts.
• Repeated contracts with the same vendors without transparency or competitive bidding.
• Poor-quality infrastructure, with newly constructed hostels having cracks, water seepage, and faulty hydropneumatics systems when funding agency for construction was Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA).
• Pressure upon faculty and wardens to certify completion of work or presence of work not done and/or not supported by documentation.
The association also claimed the Finance Office acted in bad faith by intentionally delaying the distribution of funding; being unprofessional, while creating an unsupportive environment that obstructed both the activities of departments and the research work of staff.
Management Issues
Not only with financial issues, TUTA provided examples of serious governance issues:
• The elimination of the Pro-Vice Chancellor position, compromising the balance of administration.
• A lack of organization, and unplanned appointments to important administrative positions.
• Vacancies in important positions, including registrar.
• Arbitrary suspension of administrative staff.
• Unauthorized positions created with unaccountable benefits allegedly gained.
According to TUTA staff shortages have meant that research scholars are sometimes required to teach course loads, leading to delays in the progress of the institute and further threatening the quality of research.
Controversy Over Comments on Zubeen Garg
The teachers association also condemned the VC for alleged disrespectful comments towards popular Assamese singer, Zubeen Garg, after his passing. The remarks sparked violence among students and confrontations on campus.
In response, the Sonitpur district administration issued a magisterial inquiry into the matter.
Resignation & Increasing Uncertainty
Last week, Tezpur University’s Public Relations Officer, Samaresh Barman, resigned, accusing the Vice Chancellor for operating the institution in an “autocratic style,” adversely affecting the reputation of the university and impacting its status in national ranking.
Current Situation
Despite repeated attempts to contact him, the Vice Chancellor has not issued a response to the allegations. Currently, the university administration has not issued any formal statements on the previously referenced matters.
Nonetheless, TUTA stated- it deserves the immediate sacking of VC Shambhu Nath Singh and a comprehensive investigation into the university’s financial and administrative operations.
The ongoing situation at Tezpur University underlines simmering unrest within one of Assam’s top central universities. Teachers, staff, and students are now pushing both the state government and the office of the Chancellor for action.
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