Till August last year, Eastern India’s largest centrally-sponsored research institute, Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies (MAKAIAS), was busy playing a significant role in improving India’s ties with the neighbouring economies such as Bangladesh, Myanmar and others.

But everything changed since then. The number of fellows dwindled to five from nearly 25 last year. And, according to sources, after March 31, it will be bereft of any researcher.

The credit largely goes to a single factor, delay in appointing the executive council — the highest decision making body of the institute — ever since the term of the previous 11-member body expired on August 21, 2015, the sources said.

Set up in 1993 to research on socio-economic-political issues in Asia, MAKAIAS is an autonomous institute under the Union Ministry of Culture.

Sreeradha Dutta, director of MAKAIAS was not available for comments.

Sans suitable by-law But sources say, the institute was recruiting fellows in the past without a suitable by-law in its constitution. Upon being objected by the Centre, the previous executive council made a late attempt to correct the anomalies.

The draft by-law was approved by the Centre for adoption on August 10. However, for reasons best known to the previous executive council, it was not adopted till their term expired on August 21 last year.

To add to the problem, the Centre is yet to appoint an executive council to takeover the responsibility. The 11-member council has five ex-officio members and six expert scholars. The delay led to a stalemate in the functioning of the institute. A recent advertisement for appointment of fellows has already received over 100 applications. But none of the appointments can be firmed up until there is an executive council.

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