University VC appointment: Government search committee to challenge governor

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The battle between the governor and the government intensified as the government also formed a search committee in the technical university as an alternative to the formation of the governor's search committee for the appointment of VCs in six universities.

On June 28, the governor had issued an order for the search committee to appoint Kerala, Technology, Fisheries, MG, Agriculture and Malayalam University VCs. The Governor's announcement was that it is his responsibility to issue the notification for the appointment of VCs and he cannot be prevented from doing his work.

Followed by which the government also formed a search committee for the appointment of technical VC with CUSAT Ex-Vice Chancellor Dr KN Madhusudhan (Technical University Representative), Madras IIT Prof T Pradeep (Higher Education Council Representative), Jharkhand Central University Vice Chancellor Prof Kshithi Bhushandas (UGC Chairman Representative), CUSAT VC Prof PG Sankaran, MG University Former VC Prof Sabu Thomas (both government representatives) as members. With this, it is certain that the appointment of VC will go to court again. The point of contention is which committee will receive the application and recommend the appointment.

The governor points out that only the appointing chancellor has the authority to form the search committee and the government has no role.
The government contends that according to the UGC Regulation 2018, only UGC representative is mandatory in the search committee and does not specify the number or composition of members. The government also argues that the Governor's move to appoint VC is an invasion of democracy.