Itanagar: The Confederation of Service Associations of Arunachal Pradesh (CoSAAP) has asked the state’s education commissioner to immediately revoke the suspension order issued against DNGC associate professor Narendra Pramanik.
CoSAAP president Pate Marik and secretary general Gonya Riba who called on education commissioner Niharika Rai at her office here on Monday, later in a statement said that “Associate professor Pramanik who delivered his duty sincerely and fairly during the APSSB examination on July 18 was suspended without valid and strong reasons.”
“As per the associate professor, the allegation leveled against him is totally uncalled for and has nothing to do with the unfortunate incident of cheating in the examination. He could have been served a show cause notice affording him to clarify the allegation of misconduct. Taking such stringent action against an efficient officer in a hurry and without thoroughly verifying the fact is illogical and discouraging for other sincere officers/officials,” the CoSAAP said.
Education commissioner Rai had on September 09 issued a suspension order against associate professor Pramanik over alleged gross negligence of duty during the Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board (APSSB) examination held from July 17 to 18.
While Rai had clarified that disciplinary action was taken against Pramanik for recommending private contract teachers for invigilators to district superintendent, the APSSB secretary had stated that the associate professor had deviated from the standard operating procedures of the Board.
The CoSAAP further said that the incident that took place at Room No 25 of the Dera Natung Government College’s (DNGC) examination centre was an isolated case and the candidate who indulged in the cheating act could be apprehended due to the sincere efforts of the invigilators and the able guidance of associate professor Pramanik who was also the centre superintendent.
A female candidate was caught red-handed using a mobile phone inside Room No 25 of the examination centre.
The candidate along with two of her associates was arrested by the police a day later.
“If there was any negligence or lapse in the duty leading to use of the mobile phone in the examination hall, it was primarily due to the lapse from the frisking team appointed by the district administration. Pramanik had no role in conducting the frisking and installing mobile jammers,” the association said, further questioning how the internet services were still available despite the installation of mobile jammers near the examination hall.
According to the CoSAAP, the education commissioner told the association that the suspension order had to be issued on recommendation and pressure from the APSSB.
The education commissioner also stated that Pramanik has submitted a representation clarifying his innocence in the alleged misconduct and the same is under reconsideration, the association said.
The CoSAAP leaders also met the officer on special duty (OSD) to the education minister on Monday and expressed their concern and resentment over the entire episode.
Associate Professor Pramanik is innocent and he being the DNGC’s head of department (Chemistry) and academic-in-charge for the science stream has huge responsibilities towards teaching and the academic activities of the college, the association said.
Several organizations of the state including the Arunachal Pradesh College Teachers Association, All Nyishi Students’ Union and the All-Arunachal Pradesh Polytechnic Teachers’ Association have already voiced their resentment over the associate professor’s suspension.
The DNGC Alumni and the students had also staged a protest rally at the college last week demanding immediate revocation of the suspension order.
