TN governor refers Kalaignar University bill, another to President
CHENNAI: Amid an ongoing legal dispute between Tamil Nadu govt and the Raj Bhavan, governor RN Ravi has referred to President
Droupadi Murmu
two bills, including one to establish Kalaignar University and another to amend the Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University Act to empower govt to appoint and remove the vice-chancellor of the sports varsity.
These were among the 18 bills passed by the state legislature during the Budget session that concluded in April. Ravi gave assent to 16 of these bills following a Supreme Court order that set deadlines for such actions. "The governor has informed state govt about sending the two pending bills to the president," said a source. The governor is still sitting on two bills passed last year, one on fiscal responsibilities and the other on cooperative societies.
DMK Rajya Sabha MP P Wilson accused the governor of defying the top court's order and the advice of the chief minister and the council of ministers and called for him to be sacked. "This action poses a serious threat to parliamentary democracy. The governor displays continuous blatant disregard for the Constitution and the highest constitutional court."
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DMK govt's plan to establish Kalaignar University in Kumbakonam, named after late CM M Karunanidhi, involves bifurcating Bharathidasan University.
The new university would serve four districts: Ariyalur, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur and Tiruvarur.
Higher education minister Govi Chezhiaan said Kalaignar University was envisioned to fulfil the demand for higher education from diverse sections, including from disadvantaged backgrounds, and to increase gross enrolment ratio.
The bill to amend the Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University Act, introduced by deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, also seeks to include the finance secretary as ex-officio member of the university syndicate.
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