Dr J P Sharma is VC SKUAST-Jammu
Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, June 12: As Dr J P Sharma, Joint Director (Extension) ICAR-IARI, has been appointed as Vice-Chancellor of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Jammu, the Union Territory administration committed a major faux pas by issuing two orders in this regard with same number date but showing different period of the new VC.
Vide order number LGS-3(appt-VC)AUG/2020/4780-84, dated 11 June, 2020, Dr J P Sharma, presently Joint Director (Ext) ICAR, New Delhi, was appointed as Vice-Chancellor of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology (SKUAST) Jammu, for a period of 5 years or until he attains the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier, with effect from the date on which he takes over charge, on the terms and conditions, which are being notified separately.
However, according to another order, bearing the same number date LGS-3(appt-VC) AUJ/2020/4780-84, dated 11 June, 2020, Dr J P Sharma has been appointed as Vice-Chancellor of SKUAST-Jammu for a period of three years.
Even an official handout issued today evening states that Dr Sharma has been appointed as VC SKUAST Jammu for a period of 3 years, no corrigendum was issued by the administration with regard to the order mentioning tenure of the new VC for a period of 5 years.
This is apparently for the first time that two orders with same number date have been issued for appointment of a Vice-Chancellor but having different tenures. Moreover, in absence of the corrigendum, both the orders are valid and none of these has been rescinded, opined senior officers of the university.
Pertinent to mention that as per the recent amendment in sub-section 2 of Section 25 of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology Act, 1982, the Vice-Chancellor shall hold office for a term of three years with an extension of another two years after evaluation of performance by the Chancellor in the manner as he deems for or until he attains the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
Non-seriousness on the part of administration can be further gauged from the fact that both the orders wrongly mention Dr J P Sharma as presently Joint Director (Ext) ICAR, New Delhi whereas he is Joint Director (Extension), Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI) of ICAR.
Dr J P Sharma had joined as Joint Director (Extension), IARI, New Delhi on 1st October, 2014. Previously he was working as Head, Division of Agricultural Extension and Director, Centre for Advanced Faculty Training (Extension) at IARI, New Delhi. He has a vast experience of 28 years conducting strategic research, guiding, teaching post graduate students, conducting national / international training programmes and carrying out agricultural extension activities in the farmers’ field. He earned his Doctoral degree from IIT, Delhi and Post Graduation from GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, and was awarded Fellowships from IIT and UNDP respectively. He is an accredited entrepreneurial motivational trainer.
He has to his credit researches on highly relevant topics like assessment, refinement of agricultural technologies, peri-urban agriculture and entrepreneurship development conducted as part of funded projects from reputed national/international organizations. Many models, strategies and extension approaches as a result of these studies have now been incorporated in the present extension system. He has published more than 300 papers in reputed journals, magazines and newspapers, published 30 books, bulletins and is editor of journals of repute like Journal of Community Mobilization for Sustainable Development. He has organized more than 100 trainings including national & international programmes as Course Director on the topics of national relevance.
Dr Sharma is also member of various national & International professional committees and has been invited as consultant / expert by various organizations. He has contributed a lot as Founder President, Society for Community Mobilization for Sustainable Development and Secretary, International Federation for Women in Agriculture. He has received more than 60 awards/ recognition including some international awards for making outstanding contributions for the upliftment of the farming community.
Dr Sharma is likely to take over as the Vice-Chancellor SKUAST-Jammu on June 15.
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