THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Governor will remove Ishita Roy from position of interim VC of Agriculture University. She is the Higher Education Principal Secretary and was also given responsibility of the VC. This decision comes after High Court said that Ishita Roy is not qualified to become VC, while considering the case against appointing Prof. Ciza Thomas as interim VC of Technological University.

In the HC verdict, it strictly says to follow UGC guidelines stipulating that even if temporary VC is to be appointed, the candidate must be an academic expert and working as a professor for ten years. The Governor had given the responsibility of the VC to Ishita Roy on the advice of the government.

When Ishita Roy was on leave till last 23rd, the responsibility of VC was handed over to Vellayani Agriculture College professor, Dr. K Arya. In the case against this decision at the HC, Ishita Roy had filed an affidavit saying she does not want to continue as VC.

As the Agriculture Ministry is not issuing the order giving appointment to Dr. Arya, Ishita Roy is still continuing as VC after her return from leave.

The Governor’s stance is that the state government must suggest the name of a senior professor of the University to be handed the responsibility of VC. However, the government is saying that the Chancellor must take the decision.

The agriculture ministry said that action will be taken after getting the verdict of the HC. When the Governor returns to the state on January 2nd, he will discuss with Minister P Prasad about giving responsibility to a senior professor.