UGC tells governor to consult govt in VC selection

KOCHI: University Grants Commission (UGC) told the Kerala High Court on Monday that state governor while acting as chancellor is duty bound to consult state governments while considering names for appointment of vice chancellors to the state universities.

UGC told the court that the chancellor has to discuss VC appointments with the government and the same is applicable in Vc-in-charge appointments as well.

This is a set-back for Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, who refused to consider the names recommended by the state government for appointment of vice chancellor in charge of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU).

Senior Joint Director, Directorate of Technical Education, Prof. Ciza Thomas was handpicked by the governor as temporary vice chancellor of KTU.

State government approached the High Court against governor’s decision.

The appointment of temporary vice-chancellor was necessitated by the recent Supreme Court ruling that the selection of Dr MS Rajasree as KTU vice chancellor was in violation of existing UGC rules.

The final hearing of the case was held on Monday. The court directed the UGC to submit an affidavit in this regard.

Governor argued before the court that the appointment of Prof Ciza Thomas was made ater considering her academic credentials and he also claimed that the appointment was based on the UGC rules.

Let Democratic Front (LDF) government, which at loggerheads with the governor on a number of issues, told the court that since UGC does not specify how to appoint temporary VC, the state Act must be followed.

Since the governor did not abide by the KTU Act, the appointment is void, the court was told.

The High Court which said earlier that prima facie the government’s plea will stand, had refused to stay Ciza Thomas’ appointment.

The Advocate General had told the court that the authority to recommend the name of the vice chancellor rests with the state government.

The governor’s counsel told the court that even temporary appointments can be made only in accordance with the UGC rules.

Justice Devan Ramachandran, who considered the case, had clarified that there is prima facie legal problem in the appointment and there is merit in the government’s claim.

The government had suggested the name of Saji Gopinath, Vice Chancellor, Digital University of Kerala, to be considered for taking charge of KTU interim vice chancellor.