Central University in Jammu finally gets its first VC

Updated on: Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Central University of Jammu finally got its first Vice Chancellor as former state Chief Secretary Sudhir Singh Bloeria assumed the charge after a delay of two years following a controversy.

The Union Human Resource Development Ministry issued an order regarding Bloeria's appointment as Vice Chancellor of the CUJ for a term of three years.

Bloeria, an IAS officer of J&K cadre, is also an ex-Army officer having served in the Infantry Battlion in Jammu and Kashmir Rifles from 1966 to 1972. He took part in the 1971 war against Pakistan.

The CUJ was caught in a controversy as some political, social and community organisations demanded appointment of local Dogra as the VC, while opposing the appointment of Prof Amitabh Mattoo for the post in 2010. Mattoo had turned down offer.

However, several organisations - BJP, JKNPP, BSP, JPPF, JJSF, NPSU, ABVP, PDP, Students,Trade &Industries organisation besides Bar Association were protesting against the failure of appointment of VC for the past two months.

CUJ along with 15 other Central universities, including Kashmir Central university, was announced in 2009. While all other universities are functional and in 2nd year of their academic session, the CUJ is yet to operationalise.

The BJP had threatened to launch an agitation across the Jammu region if the Central University Jammu is not made functional by August 25, while a hunger strike by a public forum today entered 15th day in support of the demand.

Bloeria is an alumnus of the Scindia School Gwalior. He holds a Masters Degree in History, and acquired PhD Degree from his thesis on The Battles of Zojila-1948.

He is graduate from the National Defence College, New Delhi.

His last assignment was Chief Secretary of J&K government from November 2002 till his superannuation in September 2005.

Central University in Jammu finally gets its first VC

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