ASCI chairman Datta resigns

Mr Datta’s resignation is important as the employees’ union of ASCI has been raising several questions regarding the administration. Earlier, ASCI was in the news for a workplace harassment complaint by a woman professor against one of its top functionaries. Usually the chairman of the Court of Governors appoints the top functionaries of ASCI.

When contacted, former Union home secretary and one of the elected members of the Court of Governors of ASCI, K. Padmanabhaiah, said, “I have received the notice regarding the meeting of the Court of Governors on November 21 to discuss the resignation of S.M. Datta. In the meeting, the resignation may be formally accepted and there is a likelihood of a new chairman being elected. I do not know the reasons for his resignation. I have written to the registrar of ASCI to circulate the resignation letter to the entire Court of Governors so that we will be aware of the contents.”

When asked about the progress in the complaint filed by the woman professor against a top functionary of ASCI, Mr Padmanabhaiah said, “The internal complaints committee has been reconstituted recently and the complaint has been referred to it for inquiry. The complainant has expressed satisfaction over the formation of the new committee.” When contacted, ASCI registrar Kalyan K. Roy said, “I am on leave…I can give the information when I get back.”