Kataka: In a significant development amid the ongoing dispute involving Kataka Sadar MLA Prakash Chandra Sethi, hostel authorities and students of Ravenshaw University, the varsity authorities on Wednesday appointed a new Chief Warden, Deputy Chief Wardens, Wardens and Deputy Wardens for different hostels.

The appointments came after Prof Sudarshan Mishra, along with around 29 other wardens and deputy wardens, tendered their collective resignations following a dispute over alleged misbehaviour during a campus meeting.

According to a notification issued by the university, Prof Pumendu Parhi has been appointed as the new Chief Warden. Prof Dipti Raut and Dr Dwiti Krushna Behera have been appointed as Deputy Chief Wardens at the Office of the Chief Warden.

The university has also appointed new Wardens and Deputy Wardens for different hostels. The appointments have come into effect immediately, the notification stated.

The dispute between MLA Prakash Chandra Sethi and Ravenshaw University wardens had intensified in recent days, with the Ravenshaw Teachers’ Association demanding an unconditional apology from the legislator over the alleged incident.

Sethi, meanwhile, had sought action against Chief Warden Prof Sudarshan Mishra through a letter addressed to the Speaker of the Odisha Legislative Assembly.

The Ravenshaw Teachers’ Association had strongly backed Mishra and demanded an unconditional apology from the MLA.

The latest appointments are expected to help restore normalcy in the university’s hostel administration and bring an end to the stand-off.