The bill, was passed amid the ongoing tussle between the ruling LDF and Governor Arif Mohamed Khan over issues including the recent appointment of Kannur University VC. The appointment was slammed by the opposition UDF claiming it is an attempt by the Left government to appoint its puppets as Vice-Chancellors.
Kerala Assembly passes contentious University Laws Bill, to curtail Governor's power
Kerala Assembly has passed the contentious University Laws (Amendment) Bill 2022. The Bill will now result in reducing the Governor's powers in appointing the Vice-Chancellors (VC) for Universities. The bill, was passed amid the ongoing tussle between the ruling LDF and Governor Arif Mohamed Khan over issues including the recent appointment of Kannur University VC. The appointment was slammed by the opposition UDF claiming it is an attempt by the Left government to appoint its puppets as Vice-Chancellors.
The Bill, will bring some major changes like the number of members and the structure of the search-cum-selection committee that picks the VC candidates, virtually limiting the upper hand of the Governor in their appointment. Even the maximum age limit of a person to be appointed as vice chancellor has been increased from 60 to 65 years as per the new bill.
The passing of the new bill assumes significance in the wake of continuing stand off between the CPI(M)-led government and Governor Khan on various issues.
Earlier, the Kerala Governor, in his capacity as the Chancellor, had stayed the appointment of a Malayalam associate professor in Kannur university, the interview for which was aced by Priya Varghese, wife of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's private secretary K K Ragesh.
The Congress-led bloc boycotted the House proceedings over the matter. The Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, V D Satheesan said through the Bill, the government's attempt is to bring the universities under its control.
"The Bill is an insult to the higher education sector of the state. The government is trying to appoint their puppets as VCs," he further charged and led the opposition front MLAs out of the House.
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