Replying to public grievance raised by Apunba Imagi Machasing (AIMS) to prime minister Narendra Modi through a representation dated 2nd February 2022, the ministry clarified that the university was shifted to Koutruk in Imphal West district from 44-Yaithibi Loukol in Thoubal district due to land dispute.
TFM Report
The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs’ Department of Sports has maintained that the appropriate authorities of the National Sports University have already been constituted and affairs of the University are being conducted smoothly in accordance with the provisions of the National Sports University Acts, 2018.
Replying to public grievance raised by Apunba Imagi Machasing (AIMS) to prime minister Narendra Modi through a representation dated 2nd February 2022, the ministry clarified that the university was shifted to Koutruk in Imphal West district from 44-Yaithibi Loukol in Thoubal district due to land dispute.
“The Government of Manipur initially allotted land for construction of NSU at 44-Yaithibi Loukol in Thoubal district. However, due to land dispute, the State Government shifted the site and allotted another piece of land measuring 325 acres at Koutruk in Imphal West district. Construction work of hostel blocks, dining hall, etc. is already going on in full swing at the new site,” it said.
See also: https://thefrontiermanipur.com/a-sorry-state-of-affairs-at-national-sports-university-in-manipur/
Ministry’s department of sports Under Secretary Santha Sharma wrote to AIMS Director Atom Sunil Singh that the NSU is presently functioning from a temporary campus at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, Imphal and offering five courses. All these courses and their syllabus/curriculum have been approved by the Academic and Activity Council of the University. There is no proposal to start a Sports Nutrition course in the University.
The ministry maintained the NSU has 13 regular staff (nine teaching and four non-teaching). All these appointments have been made through advertisement/circulation and duly constituted Selection Committee or, in case of Vice-Chancellor, through Search-cum-Selection Committee, it said.
It further stated additional requirements are met by engaging people on contract or out sourced basis. The incumbent Vice-Chancellor has been appointed as the First Vice-Chancellor by the Central Government in accordance with the provisions of Section 43(a) of the National Sports University Act, 2018 and there is no illegality or infirmity in it,
It clarified that there is no official residence of the Vice-Chancellor at Lamphel. His residence is located at Manipur Police Officers Guest House, 2nd MR, Imphal and he has been functioning from his office located at Manipur Olympic Bhavan, Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, Imphal Executive Council, Academic and Activity Council, Finance Committee and Board of Sports Studies have already been constituted and they are functioning, it added.
On the issue of vice chancellor and dean, the minister said Late Professor (Dr.) Jayashree Archarya, LNIPE, Gwalior was deputed to NSU on loan basis by the Ministry. After her tenure was over, the University engaged Dr. Lamlun Bhuril, Associate Professor, SAI LNCPE, Trivandrum on loan basis for a short period of 6(six) months. Thereafter, the University appointed Dr. R. Subramanian, former Professor and Head, Dept. of Advanced Training and Coaching, Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University, Chennai on contractual basis through open advertisement and on the recommendation of a duly constituted selection committee. It is pertinent to mention that Dean NSU can be appointed from amongst the Professors or Associated Professors as per the Statute of the University. Accordingly, Dr. Buhril and after him Dr. Subramanian were designated as Dean. It may be mentioned that Dr. Buhril left NSU after completion of his term and Dr. Subramanian left NSU due to some personal reasons, it added.
Presently, the University has engaged Dr. Usha Nair, Associate Professor, SAI LNCPE, Trivandrum on loan basis and she has been designated as Dean In charge Academics, it added.
As regards the appointment of Pro-Vice-Chancellor, the ministry clarified that there is no provision for such a post under the National Sports University Act, 2018. “Therefore, the question of appointment of Prof Khanna as Pro-Vice Chancellor does not arise. However, Prof. Khanna may apply for any suitable post as and when such a post is advertised, as per his eligibility,” it said.
Regarding utilization of funds, the ministry said the University received a total fund of Rs 22.56 crores during the last five years against which it has already utilised Rs 20.87 crores till February, 2022 Sports Science equipment, including for Sports Psychology, have already been procured and funds utilized as per requirement, it added.
Stating that the objectives of the University are detailed in Section 4 of the NSU Act, 2018, the ministry said apart from sports training, these include education, research and training in the field of physical education, sports science, sports technology and related fields which are being achieved in phases.