Technological University VC responsibility; government continues standoff with Governor by not submitting list of professors

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government refuses to transfer the list of senior professors at CET Engineering College in Barton Hill as demanded by the Governor to hand over the responsibility of Vice Chancellor of Technological University. The Supreme Court had earlier quashed the appointment order of Dr. MS Rajasree as the VC of the Technological University.

The technical education director, Vigneshwari, informed Raj Bhavan, yesterday, that more time is needed to make a list of professors with 10 years of teaching experience. Without the presence of a Vice Chancellor, it is impossible to give the degree certificates. If the government continues with its non-cooperation, then the responsibilities of the VC must be handed over to a VC from outside the state or must be handed over to the director of IIT, Palakkad.

According to the rules of the Technological University, only experts in the field of Engineering and or Science can become its VC.

The Governor had rejected the proposal by the government to hand over the responsibility of the VC to the higher education department’s Principal Secretary, Ishita Roy. The reason given for striking down the government’s proposal was that Ishita Roy already had too many responsibilities.

The Governor had given a strict order that the list of professors must be submitted on Monday. He wanted to hand over the responsibility of the VC to someone from CET or Barton Hill College. As the plea to reconsider the appointment of Rajasree will be coming before the Supreme Court, the government wanted to transfer the responsibility to the department's principal secretary.

Ishita Roy had suggested the name of Digital University VC, Saji Gopinath. The Governor had rejected this proposal also. Digital University VC, Saji Gopinath is served a show cause notice by the Governor. MS Rajasree is also served a show cause notice. Both of them are required to respond by 3 November.

Other Vice Chancellors who were given show cause notice have not responded. The Governor sent another notice allowing them for a hearing. Those who wish to tell things directly must respond within 7 November. Future actions will be taken after the hearing. If no response is there then the Governor will consider that they do not have anything to say.