As the tussle between the Kerala Governor (Chancellor) and the state government over the appointment of interim Vice Chancellors continues, and with the Supreme Court directing both sides to initiate the process of appointing permanent vice-chancellors at the earliest, discussions have begun to reach a consensus on the issue.
State Higher Education Minister R Bindu and Law Minister P Rajeeve called on Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at the Raj Bhavan on Sunday as part of the state government’s efforts to reach a consensus on the appointment of Vice-Chancellors in state-run universities. The discussions, which lasted over an hour, sought to reach a consensus on the issue. The ministers reportedly urged the Governor to finalise the appointments. The government’s reconciliation effort reportedly follows a directive from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
The Ministers also sought a solution to the issue of appointing interim Vice Chancellors at Digital University Kerala (DUK) and APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU), and resolving problems in Kerala University. However, the Raj Bhavan maintained that the appointments of the interim Vice Chancellors were made in accordance with the Supreme Court’s directive.
Meanwhile, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar rejected Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s demand to cancel the appointment of temporary Vice-Chancellors at Digital University Kerala (DUK) and APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU). In a written reply to the Chief Minister, the Governor stated that the VCs were appointed in accordance with the Supreme Court’s directive and therefore do not warrant a review.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote to Governor Rajendra Arlekar the other day, demanding cancellation of the appointments of temporary Vice Chancellors at Digital University Kerala (DUK) and APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU).
In his letter, the Chief Minister stated that the appointment of Vice Chancellors was not made in accordance with the Acts governing Digital University Kerala (DUK) and APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU). He further noted that the appointment of temporary Vice Chancellors constitutes a violation of the Supreme Court’s verdict.
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, in his capacity as Chancellor of the state universities, on Friday reappointed Dr Ciza Thomas and Dr K Sivaprasad as interim Vice Chancellors of Digital University Kerala (DUK) and APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU), respectively.
According to the Raj Bhavan, the appointments were made in compliance with a recent Supreme Court directive. The Raj Bhavan issued the notification after the Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that the Chancellor was permitted to appoint interim Vice-Chancellors for both universities, provided the tenure does not exceed six months.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday said that the Kerala Governor, in his capacity as the Chancellor, can appoint temporary Vice Chancellors for Digital University Kerala (DUK) and APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) until permanent appointments are made.