Dhenkanal: The appointment to the post of director, Indira Gandhi Institute of Technology (IGIT) in the district has come under cloud with the state government issuing an order for investigation into the selection process.
An advertisement released by registrar, IGIT at Sarang under Parjang block on April 16, 2021 had invited applications for appointment to the post of principal/director of the institute. As per norms of All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE), apart from other qualifications, the desirous candidate must have served as guide for two students till completion of their PhD.
Of 6 candidates, who applied for the post, Dr Satyabrata Mahanta was selected during selection process conducted in June last year. Dr Mahanata had submitted in his application that two students, Dr Shiva Narayana Sahu and Dr Surendra Khuntia, had completed their PhD under his guidance.
But information obtained through RTI has revealed irregularities in the claim of Dr Mahanta. According to RTI information, Dr Mahanta belongs to chemical engineering stream, while his students have done PhD in mechanical engineering.
It has come to light from RTI that Dr Sahu’s original guide was Dr NC Nayak. After the demise of Dr Nayak, DRC of Utkal University issued a notification on PhD in mechanical engineering. Similarly, Dr Mahanta was not the guide of Dr Khuntia. It has been revealed that retired senior scientist of IMMC, Bhubaneswar Dr JS Murty was the guide of Dr Khuntia.
[Watch] Odisha Govt Orders Probe Into IGIT Director Selection – YouTube
Following allegation from several quarters that Dr Mahanta had submitted false information in his application for appointment as director, IGIT, the Skill Development and Technical Education department of the state government has order an investigation.
As per the department’s order issued on February 2, 2022, special secretary, SD & TE department will inquire into alleged irregularity in the selection process of director, IGIT, Sarang. It also fixed the date of inquiry on February 17.
Following the order, there has been no development on the matter even as Dr Mahanta continues to hold the post.
Speaking to Odisha Bytes on the allegations against him, Dr Mahanata said those are false and unfounded. “I have not provided any wrong information to the government. Though the two students (Dr Sahu and Dr Khuntia) belong to different stream, their research subjects belonged to my field of expertise. I stand for whatever information I have furnished in the application,” he said.
