THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government is considering withdrawing the bill to exclude the governor and make academicians chancellors. Since it has been passed by the Legislature and sent to the Governor, the House must pass the Repeal Bill. Besides removing the governor from the post of chancellor, the replacement bill also gives the chief minister the status of the visitor. The visitor is above the chancellor. In Central Universities, the President is the visitor. The new bill is called to implement the recommendations of Prof. Shyam B Menon Commission, which studied higher education reform.

As a visitor, the administration of the university is to be ensured by the CM as per law. The recommendation to make the chief minister the visitor is to protect the universities from disputes and controversies arising out of the federal nature of the constitution. The amendment to make chief minister the visitor is being considered in the context of the allegation that the bill to exclude the governor is against the UGC norms. The governor has repeatedly asked the chief minister to take over the post of chancellor.

Provisions in the new Bill

• The chancellors should be selected separately for the universities by the Board of Regents comprising the representatives of the universities.
• Academically qualified Vice-Chancellors can continue for two terms up to 70 years of age.
• The Board of Regents should select the Pro Vice-Chancellor from a panel of three professors headed by the VC.
• Administrative decisions to VC
• A sub-committee consisting of PVC, Deans, and Heads of Departments will be formed.
• Less than 15 members in the syndicate (currently 25).
• Political representation will be reduced. More academics.
• Deans Council for Academic Affairs.

Reasons for withdrawal

1. The Pro-Chancellor is bound to obey the written orders of the Chancellor as per the Digital, Fisheries, Agricultural and Veterinary Universities Act. If the bill becomes law, the chief minister and three departmental ministers will have to obey the order of the chancellor, who is a private person.
2. Digital University has Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Fisheries Minister V Abdurahiman, Veterinary Minister J Chinchurani, and Agriculture Minister P Prasad as Pro-Chancellors. It is illegal for ministers to obey orders other than those of the courts or the governor.
3. Temporary charge of VC to PVC is against UGC rules and High Court order. The appointment of PVC is on a term-of-expiration basis with the VC. The High Court ordered that the charge of VC should not be given to unqualified persons, even for one day.