Govt to bring ordinance to remove Governor from Chancellor post; decision taken at cabinet meet, education experts to replace him 

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The cabinet convened here Wednesday decided to bring an ordinance to remove the governor from the post of chancellor of the universities in Kerala. It was earlier agreed to convene the assembly session from December 5 to introduce the bill related to it but with the intention of speeding up the process, the decision taken was to bring the ordinance. The ordinance is brought as per the recommendation of Shyam B Menon Committee Report.

Meantime, the governor should sign if the ordinance has to be implemented. The move is to replace the governor with education experts as chancellors. Each university will have their own chancellors.

The government had obtained legal advice that the governor can be removed from the post of chancellor of universities in Kerala. The government has received legal advice that departmental ministers or education experts can be appointed as chancellors instead of the governor. Constitutional experts including former Attorney General gave the directions to the government.

The assembly in West Bengal had passed a bill to remove the governor and make the chief minister the chancellor of government-run universities. Similarly, the government has sought legal advice regarding passing the bill in Kerala too.

The interim charge of the Chancellor may be handed over to education experts until a permanent system is in place, but they will not receive remuneration including salary. The legal advice pointed that this is to avoid additional financial liability.