Thiruvananthapuram ∙ The cabinet meeting approved the ordinance to remove the governor from the post of chancellor of all 14 universities in the state. It was also agreed that whether the governor signs the ordinance or not, a replacement bill will be brought in the assembly session starting on December 5. Governor Arif Muhammad Khan said that he will not take a decision on the ordinance affecting him and will leave it to the President.
Reacting strongly to the Cabinet decision, the Governor lashed out at Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. If the ordinance is left to the President, no replacement bill can be introduced in the legislature until he approves or rejects it. There is no need for the President to take a decision immediately.
The ordinance removes the provision that the person holding the post of governor will also be the chancellor of the universities in the state. For this, the rules of all universities will be amended. The government’s action is also considering the recommendations of the Punchi Commission report that it is not appropriate to appoint the governor as the chancellor of the universities, who has to fulfill the constitutional duty. Instead, eminent academicians will be appointed as chancellor with the approval of the cabinet. Salary and other special wage provisions are absent. All powers and special offices will be vested in the University. But there are objections that the chancellor appointed by the government will be too loyal to the government and this will affect the autonomy of the university.
The agreement is to appoint one person to the post of chancellor of Kerala, MG, Calicut, Kannur, Malayalam, Sanskrit, Sree Narayana etc. universities dealing with similar subjects. At the same time, you will find eminent people in the respective subject in universities like technology, digital, health, veterinary, fisheries, agriculture and CUSAT.
Ministers want CM to become Chancellor; Pinarai did not give in
Thiruvananthapuram ∙ In the cabinet meeting, the ministers suggested that the chief minister should take over the post of chancellor of all the 14 universities in the state, but the chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan did not agree. In the universities that come under each department, the ministers of the respective departments are now pro-chancellors. This is not a problem under the Governor. When another person becomes chancellor, the ministers come under that person.
Ministers pointed out that this would create a protocol problem. The Chief Minister replied that he would clarify this matter when the Bill to replace the Ordinance comes. The Chief Minister also did not agree with the proposal to bring the ministers of that department to the position of chancellor in the universities under each department.
Moving the governor to protect education
‘The ordinance is being brought to remove the governor from the position of chancellor to protect the higher education sector. The governor is expected to fulfill his constitutional obligation to sign the ordinance. Everyone has an obligation to fulfill what the governing structure dictates. Educationists should come in the post of Chancellor. The Left has always appointed excellent Vice Chancellors. Universities are being led to a situation where they cannot do anything independently.’ – Minister R. Bindu
English Summary: Cabinet decides to issue ordinance to divest Governor of Chancellor power