THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: We will get a clear picture of Governor Arif Mohammad Khan's stance on the conciliatory efforts of the government from his response to the University Appellate Tribunal Amendment Bill. The bill passed by the Assembly is in the Raj Bhavan. If the governor signs it, it means that he has given in to compromises. Otherwise, the government will have to make more compromises.

As per current law, the tribunal is to be appointed by the governor, who is also the Chancellor, from a panel of in-service judges prepared by the high court. However, the amendment passed by the state assembly has taken away the power of the Chancellor and the High Court to appoint the tribunal. Instead, the government will be able to appoint a retired judge. It remains to be seen whether the amendment will be signed by the governor. If not signed, the bill will have to be passed again by the Assembly.

Even so, there would be a crisis if the governor refuses to sign as chancellor.

If the governor does not give in, the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor of Kalady Sanskrit University, which was returned by the Raj Bhavan, will also be in crisis. The government will have to submit a three-member panel to leave the appointment to the governor. With the governor stating that he was not satisfied with the CM's public response on the issue, it is learnt that the government will have to make more compromises. It is feared that the higher education sector could be in crisis if the government decides to move ahead by opposing the governor.