Kolkata, Jan 17 : Highlighting the importance of governors in the appointment of vice-chancellors at state universities, University Grants Commission Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar stated that states ought to comply with the UGC’s recent draft notification which enhances the governor’s role in selecting VCs.
Kumar’s comments are particularly relevant amid the ongoing dispute between the TMC government and West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose concerning the VC appointments at 34 state universities.
The governor serves as the ex-officio chancellor of these institutions.
“Historically, whether since Independence or even earlier, it has been the chancellor of universities who held the authority to appoint the VC. Thus, there is no substantial change in the draft regulation addressing VC appointments,” Kumar remarked.
He made these statements to reporters following the convocation at St Xavier’s College on Thursday.
According to Kumar, the 2010 UGC regulation had already granted the chancellor a vital role in the appointment of VCs.
Regarding West Bengal’s assertions of having a more significant influence in VC appointments than the chancellor, he clarified that the state’s representative plays a part in the selection committee, which then presents four to five names to the chancellor, who selects one.
“Among the various suggestions in the draft, one outlines the chancellor’s role in VC appointments, applicable to both central and state universities,” Kumar highlighted.
“The aim of any regulations set forth by the UGC is to ensure our universities remain globally competitive. It is essential for us to collaborate in providing top-notch education,” he added.
Bengal’s Education Minister Bratya Basu had previously accused the governor in the assembly of stalling VC appointments and disregarding Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s recommendations on the matter.
“The governor is required to endorse the names presented by the chief minister. However, he is not complying with the Supreme Court ruling regarding VC appointments for 34 universities. His inaction is creating ongoing uncertainty and undermining his constitutional duties,” Basu had said.
Attempts to reach the minister for comments on the UGC chairman’s statements were unsuccessful.
