By ARUN PRATAP SINGH
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 16 Jul: Dr Tripta Thakur has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of Veer Madho Singh Bhandari Uttarakhand Technical University (UTU) by the Governor and Chancellor of the University, Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd). Her appointment, made under Section 9 of the Uttarakhand Technical University Act, 2005, stipulates a tenure of three years or until further orders. The Raj Bhawan of Uttarakhand today officially issued the appointment order.
Prior to taking charge at UTU, Dr Thakur has served as the Director General of the National Power Training Institute (NPTI), Faridabad. She brings with her substantial administrative and academic experience, which is expected to aid in reforming the embattled institution.
Dr Thakur assumes the post at a critical juncture, as UTU continues to grapple with serious academic and administrative crises. The university has been the subject of long-standing allegations involving irregular appointments, financial mismanagement, and systemic lapses in its examination processes. Over the years, these issues have triggered growing discontent among students and staff, many of whom have voiced their demands for greater accountability and transparency within the institution. Several student bodies, particularly those affiliated with major political organisations, have regularly staged protests demanding an overhaul of administrative practices.
One of the most significant controversies surrounding the university involves a software development scam, reportedly amounting to over two crore rupees. There are allegations that university officials may have colluded with a Lucknow-based firm to siphon off public funds under the guise of software procurement and development. The fallout from this scandal has prompted the state’s Technical Education Secretary, Dr Ranjit Sinha, to set up a high-level technical committee for a thorough investigation. He has also directed stringent disciplinary action and ordered the recovery of misappropriated funds from those found responsible.
The legal dimension of this case has further complicated the university’s functioning. Multiple Public Interest Litigations (PILs) have been filed in the Uttarakhand High Court concerning recruitment anomalies, financial irregularities, and violations of university statutes. The judiciary too has, on several occasions, pulled up the university administration for failing to adhere to norms and has sought detailed compliance reports. Some of these legal matters are still sub judice, and the outcomes are likely to influence future administrative decisions.
In this context, Dr Thakur’s appointment is being viewed with both hope and caution. Her leadership is anticipated to bring much-needed reforms aimed at academic revival and administrative transparency. However, her tenure is also expected to be challenging, as she must navigate a fraught institutional legacy marred by legal entanglements and eroded public trust.
