Governor Arlekar convenes V-Cs' meet on June 17; key higher education issues to be discussed
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has convened a meeting of Vice-Chancellors of all 14 State universities at the Raj Bhavan on June 17.
While the primary agenda includes an evaluation of anti-drug campaigns carried out on campuses, the discussions are likely to delve into various issues faced by the higher education sector.
Sources point out that the meeting could also take up the need to adhere to a uniform academic calendar for admission processes and examinations conducted by universities. Other issues including filling vacant teaching positions and reviewing appointments allegedly made in violation of University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations could also figure in the discussions.
Reinforce Governor's role
The move is viewed by various quarters as part of ongoing efforts to reinforce the role of the Governor as Chancellor in university affairs. It also comes as the State government awaited the Governor's assent to key Bills passed by the Assembly in March. Among these, the University Laws (Amendment) Bills are intended to enhance the role of the Pro-Chancellor, a position held by the Higher Education Minister, in the functioning of State-run universities.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
8 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Pune's GIPE demands administrator for Servants of India Society
In a major escalation of the ongoing dispute, the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (GIPE) has formally demanded that the Servants of India Society (SIS), its parent body, be placed under a neutral administrator. GIPE has also urged the police to name SIS president Damodar Sahoo as a co-accused in an ongoing case involving alleged financial irregularities. At a press conference on Thursday, GIPE staff members accused Sahoo and ousted secretary Milind Deshmukh of misusing crores of rupees from the institute's accounts for personal legal expenses, payments to relatives, and irregular staffing. 'All this has been done while invoking the name of Gopal Krishna Gokhale, the society's revered founder,' officials said. In a statement, GIPE claimed that SIS has been draining the institute of its resources for years without contributing a single rupee to its functioning for over two decades. 'Internal documents and letters show that Sahoo and Deshmukh directed GIPE to pay their personal legal bills, salaries of their private staff, and make contractor payments unrelated to the university. Just last week, Sahoo directed GIPE's bank to freeze staff salary accounts, severely disrupting operations,' the statement said. GIPE has called for immediate suspension of the SIS leadership and the appointment of a neutral administrator through court intervention. It has also sought a time-bound investigation by the police and the charity commissioner, a full audit of past financial transfers, and steps to prevent further misuse of the institute's resources. The University Grants Commission (UGC), which governs GIPE, has reportedly instructed the institute to halt any further financial transfers to SIS and to submit records of all past dealings. Meanwhile, an FIR has been registered at Deccan Police Station against Deshmukh under Sections 34, 406, 409, and 420 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), for alleged misuse of over ₹2 crore in institutional and government funds. 'We submitted a letter to the police a couple of days ago, demanding that Sahoo be made co-accused in this financial scam. Both Sahoo and Deshmukh are also accused of attempting to form an illegal advisory committee to interfere in GIPE's functioning, despite the institute already having a UGC-mandated legal governing body,' said Vishal Gaikwad, GIPE's officiating deputy registrar. Joining Gaikwad at the press conference were administrative officer Kedar Tapkir and assistant officer Kedar Kale, who is also officer on special duty to the vice-chancellor. They said several senior SIS members, including vice-president Atmanand Mishra, have submitted affidavits accusing Sahoo and Deshmukh of gross mismanagement. GIPE officials alleged that the duo recently held an 'illegal meeting' to induct their sons and grandsons into the society, in what they described as an attempt to create hereditary control over the trust. 'We remained silent out of respect for Gopal Krishna Gokhale's legacy. But what we are witnessing is nothing short of betrayal. Sahoo and Deshmukh used GIPE's reputation and resources for personal gain, froze staff salaries, and harassed our vice-chancellor. This is not just mismanagement — it's a criminal conspiracy,' Gaikwad said. In response to the allegations, Sahoo said, 'I have been working for the society for over 40 years. I had written to Chancellor Sanjeev Sanyal requesting his intervention in resolving this issue to carry forward Gokhale's legacy. All the allegations against me and SIS are baseless. We are fully cooperating with the police and demand a fair investigation.'
The Hindu
9 hours ago
- The Hindu
Eleven from Rajasthan among victims of Air India crash after take-off from Ahmedabad
Eleven persons from Rajasthan were among the passengers on board the Air India flight that crashed shortly after take-off from the Ahmedabad airport on Thursday (June 12, 2025). The victims from the State included five members of a physician's family from Banswara, who were relocating to London. Software professional Pratik Joshi and his physician wife Komi Vyas were travelling to London with their three children on the ill-fated flight. Dr. Vyas had recently resigned from a private hospital in Udaipur, intending to begin medical practice in London and reside with her husband, who had moved there in 2016. Two siblings, Shubh Modi and Shagun Modi, from the family of a marble businessman in Udaipur, were also among the passengers. After completing their business administration studies, the two had joined their father's business. They were travelling to London for leisure. Udaipur Collector Namit Mehta visited their residence in the city to meet the family. Mr. Mehta said Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma had enquired about the victims and assured the family of all possible support. In a statement, Mr. Sharma said Rajasthan, being a neighbouring State, was ready to provide all possible assistance to the Gujarat government in this hour of grief. He also expressed condolences on the death of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani in the plane crash. Mr. Sharma spoke to the families of the victims from Rajasthan over the telephone and consoled them. The district administration, which remained in touch with the bereaved families, ensured all possible help. Two other passengers from Udaipur district, Vardhichand Menaria and Prakash Menaria, employed in the culinary sector in the United Kingdom, had returned to India on holiday. They were en route to London to resume work. Abhinav Parihar from Bikaner and Khushboo Rajpurohit from Balotra were also among those on board. Governor Haribhau Bagade, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, and Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani expressed grief over the deaths. As a mark of respect for the deceased, both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the Opposition Congress suspended their scheduled programmes until further notice. The BJP had planned political events including rallies and press conferences to mark 11 years of the Narendra Modi government, while the Congress had scheduled 'Samvidhan Bachao' rallies in Pratapgarh and Banswara.
India Today
10 hours ago
- India Today
It's justice, not politics: DK Shivakumar backs new caste census in Karnataka
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday defended the government's decision to conduct a fresh caste census, asserting that the move is driven by social justice and not political to reporters after a Cabinet meeting, Shivakumar lashed out at opposition parties for their 'contradictory' stance on the issue. 'The reason why we are redoing the caste census is social justice, not politics. The opposition parties, who criticised the previous caste census, are now opposing the new caste census. Let them support the original one if they have a problem with the new one,' he challenged JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy, BJP state president BY Vijayendra, and senior BJP leader R Ashoka to clarify their stand publicly. 'Let them call for a press conference and say they support the earlier caste census. They are making many comments, we will respond in the Assembly. The media should highlight these contradictions,' he added. The comments come after the Karnataka Cabinet decided to go ahead with a fresh Socio-Economic and Educational Survey, often referred to as the caste decision was based on the recommendations of the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes, which had submitted its final report earlier this year. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed that the existing report was outdated, being over a decade whether opposition from dominant communities like Lingayats and Vokkaligas influenced the state's decision to redo the survey, Shivakumar declined to comment. 'This survey will include all communities. Even Kannadigas living outside the state will be able to submit their details online,' he the role of the Congress high command, DK Shivakumar said, 'They have only given us guidelines. The state government has taken this decision after considering the views of the people and our MLAs.''The report was submitted on February 29 and has been discussed 5-6 times in Cabinet. The opposition too had demanded a re-survey,' he added. IN THIS STORY#Karnataka
