KANNUR: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the governor is not ignorant of the policy of the state government. The Governor expressed some concern over the problems and empowerment issues in the higher education sector of the state. The chief minister said the government and the governor have the same opinion in this regard.

In the elections of the last government, the LDF's manifesto specially highlighted the higher education sector. The policy of the LDF is to change the face of higher education and to ensure that many youngsters receive higher education. The government is taking steps in this regard.

The public education sector has not progressed in a timely manner. The previous government took care to ensure academic excellence and infrastructure development in the education sector. Now the focus is on higher education. The government had said that it would make Kerala a higher education hub. The Governor's policy address also mentioned the steps to be taken to address the weaknesses in the sector. This has also been made clear in the state budget.

Colleges in the state have improved in NIRF rankings and NAAC accreditation. 15 colleges have got A grade and ten A++. However, the government is not satisfied with this and is moving ahead with further improvements. All arrangements will be taken for it.

It is natural for the governor and the government to communicate by letter and in person. There were reports that something different had happened. The media presented some of the statements of the governor also the chancellor, as misleading. The chief minister said this to make it clear to the public.

The governor sent a letter pointing out the problems in the higher education sector on December 8, 2021. The government took the issues in the letter seriously and conveyed the views of the government. The chief secretary and senior IAS officer and the finance additional chief secretary met the governor on behalf of the government and gave a reply. The finance minister met the Governor the next day along with the chief secretary and the finance secretary. The chief minister said that he could not see the governor in person as he was in Kannur but spoke to him on the phone.

The propaganda that the appointment of the vice chancellor is decided by the chief minister and the ministers is false. There is a search committee for it. The governor's opinion can be recorded in the search committee. The government has not desired for the chancellor’s post. Hope the governor to go back from his stand, the chief minister said.

The chief minister said that he has not asked the Governor to do anything against his conscience. The reference of resident was made politically. The government wants the governor also the chancellor to continue in a good manner. Pointing to the controversy during the UDF government, the chief minister said that he had never tried to take the power of the chancellor. The chief minister said that he is not craving for the post of the university chancellor. The chief minister said that he had to say all this because the governor made a public response and said the vice chancellors are the best.