Plea to disqualify Health university VC; all vice chancellors in state facing threat of expulsion

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Vice chancellors of all varsities in the state are facing a threat of dismissal. It is because Dr Praveen Lal who was included in the eligible panel for VC appointment had filed a case in the High court to cancel the appointment of Dr Mohan Kunnummal. The Health university VC was the only Vice chancellor in the state who was not facing any threat of expulsion. Dr Mohan Kunnummal is also VC in charge of Kerala university. The appointment of VCs in all the varsities has been questioned in the court except the National Law University, Kochi, where the chancellor is the Chief Justice of High court.

The Supreme court had dismissed Dr MS Rajasree from KTU Vice chancellor post and the High court had quashed the appointment Fisheries university VC Riji John. The VCs of Calicut, Cusat, MG, Kannur, Open, Fisheries, Sanskrit, Malayalam, Digital and Technological universities have been given pre-dismissal notices the governor and hearings were also held. Recently VCs of Kerala and Agricultural universities have retired. The governor has also issued a notice to the Kerala VC even though he has retired. While the VCs have approached the High Court against the governor's notice, senior teachers who are eligible for VC appointment have filed a quo-warranto petition in the High Court to disqualify all VCs.

The case against Kannur VC Gopinath Ravindran's re-appointment is in the Supreme Court.

Health university VC is not likely to be dismissed

• Mohan Kunnummal was appointed as VC by excluding two people from the panel given by the search committee. Dr Praveen Lal’s case is that Kunnummal’s appointment is against rules as highly qualified candidates were rejected to appoint him.
• The governor rejected Dr Praveen Lal, who was ranked first in the panel and Dr V Ramankutty, son of former CM C Achuthamenon. Praveen Lal was the principal of Thrissur medical college and the government’s recommendation to appoint him was also not considered.
• But there was a panel and search committee as per UGC rules for VC appointment. It was not the case for other VC appointments. Dr Mohanan also have qualifications to become a VC.

Governor waiting for decision

The governor is waiting for High court order to dismiss all 11 VCs. The High court is hearing the quo warranto petitions on 27th seeking disqualification of all VCs.