Himachal Pradesh Governor Escalates Standoff with State Government Over University Appointments

Strategic Insights -

Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla has escalated his standoff with the state government over the appointment of vice chancellors for two universities, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry in Solan and CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University in Palampur. The governor has termed the state agriculture secretary's letter withdrawing the advertisements for the appointments as "patently illegal" and "unconstitutional." This move has restored the original advertisement notices and extended the deadline for applications to August 18.

Key Takeaways:

  • The governor, as chancellor of universities, has set aside the agriculture secretary's letter withdrawing the advertisements for the appointments of vice chancellors, terming it "patently illegal" and "unconstitutional."
  • The governor has clarified that the process to fill the vacant posts of vice chancellors has been initiated by him in accordance with rules, legal, and constitutional provisions.
  • The Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha passed The Himachal Pradesh Universities of Agriculture, Horticulture, and Forestry (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which mandates the governor to appoint vice chancellors on the "aid and advice" of the state government.
  • The governor has restored the original advertisement notices and extended the deadline for applications to August 18.
  • The posts of vice chancellors of the Palampur university and Solan university have been vacant since August 21, 2023, and May 8, this year, respectively.
  • The Agriculture Secretary, C Paulrasu, has termed the selection process initiated by the governor as "illegal" and "against the spirit of the constitution and values of democracy."
  • The Agriculture Minister, Chander Kumar, had earlier written to the governor to keep the selection committee in abeyance, citing the need for reconsideration of the Amendment Bill, 2023, in the state legislative assembly.

Statistics:

  • The posts of vice chancellors of the Palampur university and Solan university have been vacant since August 21, 2023, and May 8, this year, respectively.
  • The Advertisement notices were issued by the Raj Bhavan secretariat on July 21.
  • The Applications for the post of vice chancellors were initially due on August 18 but have now been extended till August 18.
  • The Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha passed The Himachal Pradesh Universities of Agriculture, Horticulture, and Forestry (Amendment) Bill, 2023, on September 21, 2023.

Sources:

  • Times of India - Shimla: Byline: Sanjeev.Verma@timesofindia.com