The Peculiar Case of Mr. Jitender Kumar Chandel: Allegations of Anomalies in Appointment
The appointment and subsequent regularization of Mr. Jitender Kumar Chandel as Deputy Registrar (Finance & Accounts) at NIPER Mohali have sparked serious concerns over compliance with eligibility criteria and the transparency of the recruitment process. Revelations from Writ Petition No. 28606 of 2023 and Writ Petition No. 7113 of 2022 have brought to light several irregularities, raising questions about governance at an institution designated as an Institute of National Importance.
Key Issues Identified
- Non-Compliance with Essential Qualifications
- Educational Qualifications: The job advertisement required a Master’s degree in a relevant field with at least 55% marks. However, Mr. Chandel holds an M.A. in Sociology with only 51.4% marks, falling short of the specified requirement.
- Relevant Experience: The position demanded a minimum of five years of financial experience as an Assistant Registrar or equivalent in research establishments. Mr. Chandel’s documented experience amounts to only 3 years, 3 months, and 23 days, which is significantly below the required threshold.
- Misrepresentation in Application
- Inflated Experience Claims: Mr. Chandel claimed 5 years, 2 months, and 17 days of financial experience in his application. This claim appears inconsistent with the eligibility requirement that relevant experience must be calculated post-qualification.
- Non-Qualifying Roles: His previous roles at the Accountant General’s Office in Punjab and Vigyan Prasar do not align with the criteria of research establishments or higher education institutions, as stipulated in the job advertisement.
- Irregular Regularization
- Questionable Timing: Mr. Chandel’s regularization took place shortly after his appointment during the tenure of Dr. K.K. Bhutani as Officiating Director and Mr. PJP Singh Waraich as Registrar. Allegations suggest that the process was manipulated, potentially with fraudulent intent.
- Court Dismissal of Quo Warranto Petition
- The Hon’ble Court dismissed the petition because the Deputy Registrar (F&A) position does not qualify as a public office. However, this interpretation has been contested given NIPER’s status as a government-funded Institute of National Importance.
Implications
- Accountability of Parent Ministry: The Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers failed to intervene, raising questions about oversight mechanisms for appointments to key positions at NIPER.
- Internal Conflict: Information from Mr. Manoj Tiwari, Assistant Registrar (Establishment) and NIPER CPIO, hints at internal power struggles that may have influenced recruitment decisions.
The case of Mr. Jitender Kumar Chandel highlights critical lapses in recruitment practices and governance at NIPER Mohali. The failure to enforce eligibility standards and the absence of rigorous regulatory oversight risk undermining the credibility of this prestigious institution.
Restoring trust in NIPER’s administrative processes requires immediate intervention. The parent ministry must thoroughly investigate these allegations, ensure accountability, and institute reforms to prevent similar controversies in the future. Only through transparency and adherence to meritocratic principles can NIPER uphold its status as an Institute of National Importance.
