Meghalaya: CMJ University warned of Termination

CMJ University in Meghalaya, which is under scanner for awarding over 430 Ph.D degrees in the last academic year, could be dissolved for irregularities with Governor R S Mooshahary pulling up the varsity for violating UGC norms.

"The irregularities and violations clearly amount to mismanagement, maladministration and failure in accomplishment of the objectives which attract dissolution of the university," Principal Secretary to the Governor, M S Rao, said today.

Taking strong exception to the University's violation of UGC norms of setting up off campus centres and distance education across and outside the country, Rao said, such actions were contrary to the provisions of the Meghalaya Private Universities (Regulation of Establishment and Maintenance of Standards) Act, 2012.

The Governor in his capacity as Visitor of all private universities in the state has also directed the university to refund all fees charged together with interest within 15 days to students who wished to withdraw from the CMJ University.

Officials at the Governor's secretariat said that apart from 434 persons the university awarded Ph.D degrees, 19 others hailing from Assam, Punjab and Maharashtra have also received the degrees via distance learning mode.

They also said the list of Ph.D guides approved by the university was misleading as a fresh list of 85 guides sent by them denied having given their consent.

The governor also directed the university to furnish names and addresses of all students who were awarded Ph.D degrees, guides along with their consent letters and addresses.

While three officials including the registrar, his deputy and the HR manager were arrested, the self-appointed Chancellor of the University, Chandra Mohan Jha, whose initials CMJ was used for the university has been on the run for the past one month.