THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the retirement of vice-chancellors of digital and health universities on the 24th and 27th of this month, for the first time ever, there will be no permanent VC in a single university in Kerala. Although a professor will be given charge of the VC, there is an administrative stalemate in most places as the in-charge VCs are not ready to take important decisions, including appointments. The universities are now ruled by politicians in the syndicate who turn in-charge VCs into rubber stamps. Except for the conduct of exams and the declaration of results, everything is dragging on. The grievance redressal of students is also in crisis. Recruitment for the VC vacancies since October 2022 has not yet been made.

The dispute between the governor and the government is the obstacle to the appointment of VCs. Senate/Syndicate representative is mandatory in search committees as per university law. The Senate is not ready to provide a representative. There is a Supreme Court order that the decision on the appointment of the vice-chancellor has to be taken by the chancellor and it is final. However, the government formed its own search committee everywhere as an alternative to the search committee set up by the governor and they got stuck in the case. The government constitutes search committees by interpreting the appointment of VCs as the power of the government under Article 162 of the Constitution.

The government is also interested in the VC appointments getting entangled in cases until the governor changes. That's why they are forming their own search committees and going to court against the governor's committee. Government fears that the governor will appoint VCs against their interest. There is a petition in the high court filed by Dr Mary George seeking the appointment of VCs.

No appointments, no decisions taken

• The temporary VCs are not taking important decisions. Development projects and academic activities are at a standstill.
• Teacher appointments not taking place much. Temporary teachers in most places.
• Students are also not able to meet or lodge complaints with the in-charges who are professors of other universities.

Vacant for two years

Agriculture-------------- October 2022

Technical---------- October 2022

Kerala--------------------October 2022

Fisheries----------------November 2022

Malayalam-----------------February 2023

CUSAT------------------April 2023

MG-------------------- May 2023

Kannur-------------------December 2023

Open-------------------February 2024

Sanskrit---------------- March 2024

Veterinary---------------March 2024

Calicut----------------July 2024

Digital----------------October 24

Health---------------October 27

Students seeking higher education in Kerala: 13 lakh

Malayalees to study abroad annually: 40,000

"It is I who should appoint VCs. Despite repeated requests, the universities are not providing representatives."

- Governor Arif Mohammad Khan

"The chancellor's interventions are hampering the government's activities in the field of higher education.

- Minister R Bindu