'If no consensus, VCs will be appointed directly': Supreme Court's ultimatum to Chief Minister and Governor

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court warned that if Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan are not ready to reach a compromise in the matter of Vice Chancellor appointment in digital and technical universities, the court would make the appointment directly. If the dispute continues, the only option is for the court to intervene. The bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Justice Prasanna B. Varale clarified that they are trying to avoid such a situation. The court also observed that only those with merit should be appointed.

The ultimatum is that the Governor and the Chief Minister should reach a consensus by Tuesday. The first case will be considered on December 11. If there is no consensus, an order may be issued on that day.

The Governor is interested in appointing Dr Ciza Thomas as the VC of the Technical University and Dr Priya Chandran as the VC of the Digital University.

The Chief Minister is suggesting Dr Saji Gopinath as the VC of the Digital University and Dr C. Satish Kumar as the VC of the Technical University.

Two search committees were formed under the chairmanship of Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia for the appointment of VCs of both the universities. Attorney General R. Venkataramani pointed out that the Governor selected those who were included in the two lists submitted by these committees. The Attorney General informed that the Chief Minister is not favouring those names. Senior advocate Jaideep Gupta, appearing for the state government, argued that the Governor is deliberately showing dislike for the names selected by the chief minister.

#The Chief Minister is adamant that even though Ciza's name is on the list for both universities, she cannot be recommended. He wrote in the file handed over to the Governor that Ciza lacks leadership qualities, and a person with a positive attitude should be appointed as VC.

# However, the Governor attests that Ciza’s work in digital and technological universities was done with dedication and honesty.

# The Governor and the government made it clear in the court yesterday that they have no objection to the Supreme Court issuing the appointment order.