VC appointment: Governor not to file writ petition against government, will file affidavit

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Governor will not file a writ petition in the High Court against the government, pointing out that the government is obstructing the appointment of vice-chancellors in eleven universities. Instead, the Governor will give an affidavit against the government on July 1 when the High Court considers another petition seeking the appointment of the VCs. With universities not providing representatives to search committees despite repeated requests, the Governor will request that he be allowed to appoint the VCs by forming the search committees as per the UGC rules by excluding university representatives. The UGC rules only state that there should be a UGC representative in the search committee. On May 26, 'Kerala Kaumudi' pointed out that the Governor's case would delay the appointment of the VCs.

Earlier, legal advisor P Sreekumar had recommended to the Governor to form a two-member search committee with only representatives of the UGC and the chancellor for the appointment of VCs in every university. But Governor's Secretary Devendra Kumar Dhodawat advised him to file a case against the government. However, the Governor backed down from the move after the legal experts in Delhi pointed out the inappropriateness of this.

Permanent VCs only in two varsities

At present, only Health and Calicut Varsities have permanent VCs. Senior professors have been given charge of the VC in all other varsities.

Politicians are ruling all universities in the state as there is no permanent VC. Temporary VCs are not making any decisions.