Controversial Senate: Governor rejects minutes signed by minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Governor Arif Muhammad Khan rejected the minutes of the meeting signed by Minister R. Bindu, who chaired the Kerala University Senate meeting as the Pro-Chancellor. The Governor also sent back to the Vice Chancellor Dr. Mohanan Kunnummel the resolution not to give a representative to the VC appointment committee, which was passed with the approval of the Minister. Kerala Kaumudi had reported that the minutes and the Senate meeting will be canceled after receiving the reply of the VC.

The governor has asked the VC to explain how the minister became the chairman while the VC is the chairman of all committees including the Senate and Syndicate as per the University Act. The rule is that the minutes of the Senate meetings prepared by the registrar are approved by the VC and sent to the governor for signature by both. Minutes of the contentious meeting would be prepared by the registrar and approved by the Minister Bindu.

The minutes were signed by both of them and sent to the governor. The governor has also asked him to explain how the registrar signed the minutes that were not approved by the VC. The VC should preside over the Senate meetings. It is the VC who approves the agenda and approves the minutes in the Senate where the Chancellor also attends. This was also the case in the Senate attended by the Governor and Minister Veena George at the Health University.

Governor's 'absence'

The Varsity Act states that in the absence of the Chancellor, the Minister who is the Pro-Chancellor can take charge of the Chancellor.

The minister assumed charge of the chancellor while participating in the program in Kochi. This was not suggested by the Raj Bhavan or the Governor.

The minister's argument is that the governor's non-attendance at the meeting can be considered as 'absence' and that is why she became the chairperson.

The power is transferred to the Pro-Chancellor so that graduations are not interrupted during the interval till the appointment of the new Governor after the term.

The governor will displease the minister who is the pro-chancellor for taking illegal actions using non-existent powers. There may also be a warning not to repeat it again.