Governor holds back signing of 2 key bills
TRIVANDRUM: Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan has signed a dozen bills the state legislature passed amid reports of an emerging thaw between him and the government.
However, he is yet to sign two controversial bills, including the one that removes him as the chancellor of the state’s universities.
Another one dilutes the powers of the Lokayukta, the state’s anti-corruption ombudsman that forced a minister to quit on nepotism charges.
“I have not taken any decision so far. I said it is under consideration,” he told reporters in New Delhi on Friday.
“Since it involves me, I don’t want to sit in judgment about myself. So I wanted to refer it to the president and l merely expressed my intention.” The Kerala Assembly adopted the University Laws (Amendment) Bill on Dec.13 ater Khan shot down a series of appointments disregarding merit or flouting norms.
Khan reiterated that he only aims towards protecting the autonomy of the universities and he doesn’t intend to interfere in the normal functioning of the government.
“I am not here to interfere in the normal functioning of government,” Khan said dismissing criticism that he was exceeding his powers.
“The job of a chancellor is to protect the autonomy of a university. I will do only my legal and constitutional duty.” The governor currently holds the powers of the chancellor of 13 universities in Kerala and the state government wants to replace him with “experts.” Recently, the government replaced him with classical dance exponent Mallika Sarabhai at the Kerala Kalamandalam, a deemed-to-be university for performing arts.
The fight began ater the governor started questioning the appointment of spouses of ruling party leaders and ministers allegedly overlooking merit last year.
He was acting on a series of representations from a city-based group of academics and activists flagging the deteriorating state of affairs in higher education.
The critics say the quality of higher education is already facing a huge challenge driving bright students out of the state or abroad.
Khan has also initiated the removal of the vice chancellors (VC) of 11 universities ater the Supreme Court declared the appointment of a VC as illegal and void.
According to the bill piloted by Kerala law minister P Rajeev, a three-member panel headed by the chief minister would appoint the chancellors.