Mukul Narayan Deo, Vice Chancellor Vinoba Bhave University, Hazaribagh has been given additional charge of the Binod Bihari Mahto Koyalanchal University (BBMKU), Dhanbad as per the notification of the office of state governor cum chancellor of state universities Ramesh Bais.

Notably, the post of Vice Chancellor was lying vacant ever since the retirement of Kamal John Lakra, North Chotanagpur Commissioner cum in charge vice chancellor of BBMKU on January 31, 2022.

Though, Deo is yet to take charge but his appointment is likely to accelerate the pending activities, including the holding of the much delayed examinations of semester II and IV of undergraduate and postgraduate academic courses, besides the examinations of professional courses like, MBBS, B Ed etc, which were suspended twice due to imposition of Covid related restrictions in the state since January 1, 2022.

The long due meeting of the examination board, academic council and college development council is also likely to take place following the development.

The students however are demanding regular or permanent appointment of the vice chancellor as the post is lying vacant ever since the retirement of Anjani Kumar Srivastava on August 31, 2021 and the work was being managed on ad hoc basis by Kamal John Lakra, North Chhotanagpur Commissioner who was given charge on the VC of BBMKU on September 1, 2021.

Talking to The Telegraph Online, Vishal Kumar Mahto, a Phd aspirant of the BBMKU who is also the university president of student wing of AJSU said, “BBMKU is deprived of a regular vice chancellor for over five months ever since Anjani Kumar Srivastava retired from the post as Kamal John Lakra, North Chhotanagpur Commissioner based in Hazaribagh could make only periodic visit to Dhanbad to perform the official work affecting the day to day work of the university.”

“Similarly the post of pro vice in the university is also lying vacant since June 30, ever since the retirement of PK Mahto, the then Pro Vice Chancellor” said Hiralal Mahto another student leaders who also the district president of student wing of AJSU and added that they will continue to protest until their demand for the regular appointment on crucial posts like vice chancellor, pro vice chancellor and heads of several departments is made.