UGC amendment that ensures chancellor post to Governor set to be tabled in Parliament

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The amendment in UGC rules to appoint the Governor as the chancellor of the universities will be tabled in Parliament. Under the UGC act, the UGC has the authority to make rules for the appointment of teachers and staff. The Vice-Chancellor appointment is also on the basis of this rule. Similarly, the move is to include the rule that the Governor should be the Chancellor.

The states of Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan have legislation to remove the Governor from the Chancellor post. But the Governors have not given permission anywhere. The centre is of the view that if the governor, who is the head of the state, is removed and replaced as chancellor by someone appointed by the cabinet, the autonomy of the universities will be lost. It is the government, not the search committee, that selects the academic expert as chancellor. There will be protocol issue if the concerned minister who is the pro VC of universities comes under this chancellor. The centre thinks that removing governor from chancellor post would lead to will lead to corruption and nepotism in universities.

The UGC provides up to 80 percent of the salary cost of teachers as grant. Through RUSA financial assistance worth crores is provided for the infrastructure development of universities and colleges. Universities get recognition from the UGC by making an affidavit stating that the Chancellor is the Governor. The permission of UGC will also be required to change the chancellor. A bill to remove the governor from the chancellor post of all the 14 universities in Kerala is to be introduced in the coming assembly session.