Tamil Nadu's VC Appointments Stir Controversy: Governor vs State Government

The Tamil Nadu Governor urges the inclusion of a UGC nominee in the search process for state university vice chancellors or to pause appointments until a Supreme Court decision. The legality of the search committees' constitution is debated amidst ongoing court cases challenging recent governmental amendments on chancellor appointment powers.

The ongoing tussle between the Tamil Nadu Governor and the state government has intensified, with the Governor insisting that the state pause vice chancellor appointments until a Supreme Court ruling is made. The demand centers around the inclusion of a University Grants Commission (UGC) nominee in the appointment process for state university VCs.

The Governor, who acts as the Chancellor of state universities, emphasized maintaining constitutional propriety and academic integrity. Recent amendments transferring appointment powers from the chancellor to the government sparked legal challenges, with the Madras High Court granting a stay on this amendment.

With pending court cases and the extension of search committee tenures, the legality of current VC appointment processes is under scrutiny. The Governor highlighted that these committees are unlawfully constituted without a mandatory UGC nominee. The matter is now before the Supreme Court for resolution.

(With inputs from agencies.)