Dr. V. M. Katoch’s tenure as Chairman of the Board of Governors (BoG) at NIPER Mohali (2011-2014 and October 2, 2016 – October 1, 2019) was marred by controversy.
The BoG questioned the reinstatement of Capt. Kshitij Sharma as the Security and Estate Officer (SEO), despite the fact that the appointing authority for the position was the Director of NIPER Mohali. In a BoG meeting, Director Dr. Raghuram Rao Akkinepally asked the board to revoke the reinstatement if they deemed his decision incorrect. However, no official document, including the minutes of the BoG, explicitly stated that the reinstatement had been revoked. Dr. Katoch approved the minutes while keeping the issue ambiguous, fully aware that the authority to appoint the SEO rested with the Director, not the BoG.
The Rapid Grievance Redressal Committee (RGRC), approved by the BoG, was established in response to the Government of India’s directive to reduce litigation in public institutions. Given that nearly one-third of NIPER Mohali employees had court cases, Dr. Rao proposed the RGRC to resolve disputes internally.
The RGRC made several positive recommendations, including cases concerning a Computer Section employee, Capt. Sharma’s reinstatement (subject to an inquiry), and Dr. Neeraj Kumar’s wrongful termination. Dr. Kumar was expelled due to a biased report of Inquiry Officer including one charge of a student’s complaint. But the student himself submitted in the Court that he had no such issue with Dr. Kumar. The RGRC recommended his reinstatement, but instead of honoring these decisions, Dr. Katoch and certain BoG members disbanded the RGRC, directly contradicting the Government of India’s objective of reducing litigation.
Dr. Katoch obstructed faculty recruitment during Dr. Rao’s tenure, despite NIPER Mohali’s dire need for academic staff. With fewer than 30 faculty members, the faculty-to-student ratio was highly unfavorable. Joint Secretary Rajneesh Tingal fully endorsed these roadblocks.
In contrast, after Dr. Dulal Panda took charge, approximately 10 faculty positions were filled, despite his own appointment as Director being legally challenged by Dr. Rao.
Dr. Rao suspended Mr. PJP Singh Waraich, but within hours, Dr. Katoch overturned the decision in an ex-parte order, violating the NIPER Act/Statutes. Without allowing Dr. Rao to present his case, Dr. Katoch acted beyond his authority. Dr. Rao challenged this decision in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which ruled that no one could be condemned unheard. The court clarified that any observations in Dr. Katoch’s order should not be considered strictures.
Dr. Rao aimed to establish collaborations with pharmaceutical companies and research institutions but faced consistent hurdles. One such instance involved an MoU with Shizuoka University, Japan. Despite approving Dr. Rao’s participation in an international symposium at Shizuoka University (March 6, 2018), Dr. Katoch raised unwarranted concerns in a January 30, 2018 email to Mr. Waraich.
Similarly, an MoU with Ayurvet, a company specializing in veterinary pharmaceuticals, was blocked due to Mr. Waraich’s lack of understanding of the pharmaceutical sector.
Focus on Destruction Over Development
The 77th BoG meeting (August 22, 2019) was dominated by destructive agendas:
• Fact-finding report on Dr. Rao
• Charges against Dr. Rao
• Alleged wrongful regularization of employees
• Appeal of Sh. J.K. Chandel for the ad-hoc disciplinary authority
• Legal case CWP-10065/2019
• Ratification of PJP Singh Waraich’s relieving order
Key Developmental Issues Ignored
Despite NIPER Mohali’s pressing needs, the following crucial matters were not addressed:
• Academic department presentations
• Statutory committee reconstitution
• BoG nominations/resignations
• NBA/NABL accreditation
• Revenue generation strategies
• 3-5 year roadmap for NIPER Mohali’s growth
• Implementation of 7th Pay Commission recommendations
• Emeritus fellowship scheme
• Honorarium enhancement for selection committees
• Appointment of a Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO)
• Recruitment for vacant positions
• Appointment of consultants
• MoUs and confidentiality disclosure agreements
• Implementation of CCS (Revised Pay) Rules, 2018
• Complaint from DoP, MoCF regarding unreasonable grade pay hikes
Dr. Katoch’s tenure reflects a pattern of obstruction and misgovernance, prioritizing vendettas over the institution’s progress.