ITANAGAR, 12 Jul: The All Nyishi Students’ Union (ANSU) has served a seven-day ultimatum to the Union Education Ministry, demanding immediate action over alleged administrative, financial and recruitment irregularities at the North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology (NERIST) in Nirjuli.

The union warned of an indefinite democratic agitation across Arunachal Pradesh if corrective measures are not initiated.

In a memorandum addressed to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the union alleged that the premier technical institution has witnessed prolonged administrative instability under the present leadership, affecting governance, transparency and public confidence.

It claimed that the ministry failed to act “despite repeated representations and submission of documentary evidence.”

The ANSU urged the ministry to immediately relieve NERIST Director Dr Narendranath S from office, pending completion of an inquiry. It also sought implementation of the recommendations of a one-member inquiry committee constituted by the Education Ministry in December 2025 to examine administrative and academic issues at the institute.

The union alleged that the minutes of the meetings held with the institute’s administration in November 2025 and May 2026 contained resolutions relating to recruitment rules, administrative reforms, and implementation of the inquiry committee’s findings, but claimed these decisions were either ignored or selectively implemented.

It further alleged that certain administrative decisions were taken “beyond the scope of the inquiry report.”

Raising concern over financial management, the ANSU alleged irregularities in the release of payments for civil works despite objections raised during inspections. It claimed that payments were processed within an unusually short period, and sought a detailed examination of the expenditure.

The union also questioned the recruitment process for the post of executive engineer (civil), alleging that the advertisement issued in June 2026 permitted “recruitment through deputation or short-term contract” despite approved recruitment rules prescribing 100 per cent direct recruitment. It contended that the move was contrary to recruitment norms and deprived eligible candidates of an opportunity to compete.

The ANSU further alleged that the institute had disregarded the Education Ministry’s communication requiring adherence to approved recruitment rules, and raised objections over the constitution of a departmental promotion committee while issues relating to recruitment norms remained under examination. It also questioned the transfer of financial responsibilities from the registrar to another officer, claiming that the move was inconsistent with an earlier board of management resolution.

The union appealed to the Centre to initiate disciplinary proceedings against officials found responsible after due inquiry, examine the legality of the recruitment process, and restore transparency and accountability in the functioning of the NERIST. It warned that failure to act within seven days would compel the union to launch an “indefinite peaceful democratic movement across the state.”