Member of Parliament Bishnu Pada Ray has written to the Union Education Minister seeking a comprehensive review of the appointment of Dr Utpal Sharma as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) at the Netaji Subash Chandra Bose Institute of Higher Learning, the deemed-to-be university in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
In his February 19 representation, Ray said the appointment comes at a time when public confidence in the islands’ higher education system is already under strain and warned that decisions perceived as lacking transparency could further erode trust.
The MP reiterated that islanders have long demanded a full-fledged Central University and argued that the present deemed university arrangement has not resolved the structural uncertainty faced by students. He pointed to delays in issuance of mark sheets and academic records for students who completed two years under the earlier system, describing it as evidence of continued administrative instability.
Ray said the appointment of Dr Sharma for one year, with responsibilities spanning academic structuring, regulatory compliance and governance architecture, has revived concerns linked to Sharma’s earlier tenure as Principal of Dr B R Ambedkar Institute of Technology (DBRAIT).
While noting that the OSD engagement has been described as non-remunerative, the MP questioned the administrative framework governing the appointment, citing provisions for transport and TA/DA linked to last pay drawn. He said such arrangements require clarity on the statutory and service-rule basis under which the role has been structured.
The MP also sought clarification on whether Sharma’s pensionary status and any pending proceedings were examined before the appointment. He referred to earlier audit observations, compliance issues related to regulatory norms, and reports that files linked to institutional approvals had in the past been untraceable. These matters, he said, warranted objective verification in the interest of transparency.
Ray stressed that his representation was not directed at any individual but at ensuring credibility in institutional processes. In a region where higher education governance has been repeatedly contested, he said, appointments perceived as lacking due diligence risk reinforcing the demand for a statutory Central University rather than transitional arrangements.
The MP has requested the Ministry to review the circumstances surrounding earlier de-affiliation issues, examine whether the present appointment complies with statutory and vigilance norms, confirm whether all relevant proceedings were considered, and clarify the long-term roadmap for establishing a Central University in the islands.
The development comes amid continuing debate over the future of higher education in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with students, parents and civil society groups closely watching how the transition to the new institutional framework unfolds.
