Appointment of Digital-Technical University VCs in trouble due to Governor-Chief Minister's fight: Supreme Court to take decision

NEW DELHI: As there is a disagreement between Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over the appointment of permanent VCs in digital and technical universities, it is certain that the final decision will be taken by the Supreme Court. The Governor has recommended Dr. Ciza Thomas, who is strongly opposed by the Chief Minister, as the VC of the Technical University. Dr. Priya Chandran has been nominated as the VC of the Digital University. The affidavit was submitted yesterday.

The Chief Minister gave first consideration to Dr. Saji Gopinath as the VC of the Digital University and Dr. C. Satish Kumar as the VC of the Technical University. A bench comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and Prasanna B. Varale will consider the matter today. Two search committees were formed under the chairmanship of retired Supreme Court Judge Sudhanshu Dhulia for the appointment of VCs of both the universities. The Governor and the Chief Minister are competing with each other on the names from the list the committees provided.

Dr. Jin Jose and Dr. Priya Chandran are in third and fourth place in the list forwarded by the Chief Minister for the post of VC of Digital University. The Chief Minister included the names of Dr. GR Bindu and Dr. Priya Chandran in the second and third positions as VCs of the Technical University.

Ciza is eligibile

The Governor considered the names of Dr. Ciza Thomas and Dr. Priya Chandran recommended in both the lists. This is a recognition of merit. However, the Chief Minister made it clear in the Governor's affidavit that he was not in favour.

Ciza Thomas' work in digital and technical universities was done with dedication and honesty. The Chief Minister's opposition to Ciza is based only on news reports. The Chief Minister's action of recommending Saji Gopinathan's name as the first and MS Rajasree's name as the second for the appointment as the VC of the Digital University is surprising! Saji Gopinathan did not conduct an audit in the Digital University while he was the VC there. Rajsree was expelled by the court. It was found that an illegal adalat was conducted to help an engineering student pass the exam on the instructions of the Higher Education Minister.

Ciza lacks leadership qualities

The Chief Minister says in the file submitted to the Governor on October 14 that Ciza cannot be recommended. She has put the prestige of the Digital University in doubt. She has made allegations that its teachers are creating their own companies and stealing university projects. The Chief Minister also took the stand that a person with a positive attitude should be appointed as the VC.