Governor signs five bills, says won't sign Lokayukta, University bills

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Governor Arif Muhammed Khan has signed five bills passed by the Assembly. The signed bills are the ones explained by the departmental secretaries. A total of eleven bills were passed by the House and sent to the governor. The governor had earlier clarified that he would not sign the University and Lokayukta Bills. The decision on the remaining four bills is pending. The governor who is going to Delhi today will not return to Kerala this month.

At the same time, the governor had clarified his position on the appointment of Kerala University VC. The governor had directed the university to immediately nominate a senate representative to the search committee for the appointment of the VC. Though this was informed on August 5, the university has not appointed a representative yet. Earlier, planning board member VK Ramachandran was suggested as a representative but he withdrew himself. As per the current situation, the search committee needs three members. Raj Bhavan's new proposal comes as the University of Kerala waits for the University Act Amendment Bill to become law.