Questioning the authority of the Governor, Edu minister K Ponmudy said that committees are unilaterally constituted and the appointments are illegal.
Published Sep 07, 2023 | 9:47 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 07, 2023 | 10:28 PM
The search-cum-selection' committees will recommend three names to the Chancellor (Governor) for the appointment of Vice-Chancellors in the respective universities. (Supplied)
It seems like, yet again, Governor RN Ravi is locking horns with the Tamil Nadu government. This time, it is over the appointment of members for “search-cum-selection” committees, to recommend names of vice-chancellors (VC) in three universities.
On Wednesday, 6 September, Ravi issued notifications constituting three search-cum-selection committees to recommend three names each for the posts of VCs for the University of Madras, Bharathiar University (BU), and the Tamil Nadu Teachers Education University (TNTEU).
For Madras University:
For Bharathiar University:
Press releases regarding constitution of search-cum-selection committees for selection of Vice Chancellors of Bharathiar University, Tamil Nadu Teacher Education University and University of Madras. pic.twitter.com/KjxV4oyJfU
— RAJ BHAVAN, TAMIL NADU (@rajbhavan_tn) September 6, 2023
For Tamil Nadu Teachers Education University (TNTEU):
Further, the notification stated that the search-cum-selection committees will recommend three names to the Chancellor (Governor) for the appointment of VCs in the respective universities.
Meanwhile, Higher Education Minister K Ponmudy lashed out at the Governor in a statement issued after the Raj Bhavan released the notification of search committee appointments.
Questioning the authority of the Governor over the appoint of search-cum-selection committees, the minister said that the committees are unilaterally constituted and added that the appointments are illegal.
“There are 13 higher education universities in Tamil Nadu and there are separate rules and laws governing them. According to these rules, once the tenure of an incumbent is over, search committees are formed to choose the next VC and the appointments are made in accordance with the respective university Acts and published in the State Gazette,” the Ponmudy explained.
Further, Ponmudy pointed out that after the tenure of the VC of Bharathiyar University ended on 17 October, 2022, and the tenure of the VC of Tamil Nadu Teachers Education University ended on 30 November, 2022, the state, in accordance with the University Act, formed search committees and the same was published in the government gazette only after the Governor’s approval.
Pointing out the pendency of the Bill passed in the Tamil Nadu Assembly that accords powers to the state in the appointment of VCs, Ponmudy said that the government would legally face the notification issued by the Governor on the appointment of the committees.
A senior IAS officer, while speaking to South First, said that earlier, only three members would be appointed to the committee and the recent UGC norms mandated the inclusion of the UGC Chairman’s nominee as a member in such committees.
“As far as Tamil Nadu universities are concerned, each university is governed by its own laws and there is no need to include the UGC Chairman’s nominee. But the Governor is keen on following the UGC norms,” the officer said.
Further, the officer said that legal opinion has been sought on challenging the appointments made by the Governor.
However, the Raj Bhavan declined to comment on the issue.
Sources close to the Raj Bhavan told South First that the Governor had made these appointments as per the Supreme Court direction in the Professor Sreejith PS vs Dr Rajasree MS case.
The Joint Action Council (JAC) of College Teachers of Tamil Nadu condemned the move of the Governor.
In a statement, the JAC said that the unprecedented notification from the Raj Bhavan regarding the constitution of the search committee for the selection of the vice-chancellor of three universities was a blatant violation of the TN Act.
“This move is ostensibly tantamount to appropriating the power of the state assembly. It is known that the state universities in Tamil Nadu were established by a separate act passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly. Every university act has clearly defined the constitution of the search committee for the selection of vice-chancellor,” the JAC said.
Further, in violation of the TN Act, the chancellor had unilaterally included the UGC nominee over and above the members prescribed by the acts.
Condemning the notification, the JAC demanded its immediate withdrawal to protect the interest of higher education.
It stated: “It is not only an appropriation of the Assembly’s powers but also an onslaught on the state’s autonomy. Of late, higher education has become a playground for political ideology.”
