Despite the fact that the Narendra <g data-gr-id="51">Modi-led</g> NDA government is all set to complete one year in office on May 26, the process to appoint new vice-chancellors (V-Cs) in 10 central universities is proving to be a herculean task for the Centre. The Union Human Resource Ministry, headed by Smriti Irani, is yet to “finalise” the appointment of V-Cs in 10 of the 41 central universities across the country.
Even though the Modi government is giving special attention towards development in north-eastern states, the post of V-C in North-Eastern Hill University, Meghalaya, is lying vacant since June 2013. The university had a regular V-C till May 2013.
Irani said the other nine universities without regular V-Cs include Central University of Odisha, Central University of Rajasthan, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya in Chhattisgarh, Central University of Kashmir, Central University of Jharkhand, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Central University of Bihar, University of Allahabad and University of Hyderabad.
In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, the minister said the tenure of V-Cs is different for all central universities. Therefore, there are always vacancies. Filling these vacancies is an ongoing process, which is at different stages for different universities, and no specific date can be given regarding the filling of such posts, the minister said.
There are seven universities, where the posts of V-Cs are lying vacant for the past one year.
Surprisingly, of these, four universities are in BJP-ruled states of Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Jammu and Kashmir. Allahabad university does not have a V-C since July 28, 2014; while in Hyderabad university, the V-C’s post is vacant since January 28, 2015.
Citing reasons causing delay in selection of V-Cs, Irani said, “The delay in <g data-gr-id="43">filling of</g> vacant posts is
due to the scrapping of some search-cum-selection committees (SSC) due to some deficiencies and re-constitution of panels.” She added, “In some cases, the universities took time in providing executive councils’ nominees for the panel.”
“A university without a V-C is like a country without a PM. The university becomes dysfunctional sans a regular V-C, which paralyses the organisation on policy matters. The HRD ministry should devise a mechanism to fill these vacancies,” <g data-gr-id="41">an UGC</g> official said.