Latest news with #Chezhiaan
The Hindu
27-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kalaignar University to function from June: Minister Govi. Chezhiaan
Higher Education Minister Govi. Chezhiaan on Sunday said that the newly announced university in Kumbakonam, named after former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, will start functioning from the 2025–26 academic year. 'The university will start functioning from June this year,' he told reporters in Kumbakonam. Commenting on the ongoing dispute between the State government and Governor R.N. Ravi over the appointment of Vice-Chancellors, Mr. Chezhian reiterated that the Supreme Court had stated that the Governor did not have the authority to appoint VCs. 'The Governor has been indulging in improper actions. Vice-chancellors have acted according to their respective university regulations. The Governor does not have the right to convene such meetings,' he said, commenting on the vice-chancellors boycotting the recent meeting convened by the Governor. Dismissing TVK leader Vijay's recent criticism of the DMK, Mr. Chezhiaan said it would have no impact on the party's prospects. With the AIADMK forced to continue its alliance with the BJP after talks with TVK failed, all other parties in Tamil Nadu were only competing for second place while the DMK's victory remained secure. Mr. Chezhiaan inaugurated two extended bus routes of the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC), Kumbakonam division. The services include Route A49 (Kumbakonam–Kudavasal via Enanallur) and Route 16B (Mayiladuthurai–Thirupanandal via Thiruloki), introduced in response to local demands for improved connectivity.
New Indian Express
26-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
CM Stalin to be felicitated for SC verdict on governor: Minister Govi Chezhiaan
CHENNAI: Higher Education Minister Govi Chezhiaan on Friday announced in the Assembly that a felicitation event will be organised on May 3 for Chief Minister MK Stalin for securing the landmark verdict from Supreme Court against the interference of governors in the functioning of the government. Replying to a discussion on the demands for grants for higher education department, Chezhiaan announced that, on the lines of NIRF, Tamil Nadu will have State Institutional Ranking Framework published by Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education. 'It will help to know the strengths and weaknesses of various institutions in the state and improve their quality,' he said. Chezhiaan said a review committee will be constituted to recommend new courses for government arts and science colleges. To send government college students to foreign universities for a term, MoUs will be signed by the department with universities abroad. 'Fifty students will be taken abroad to study every semester', Chezhiaan said. The minister said Central Institute of Technology, Taramani, will be upgraded at a cost of Rs 100 crore. Unmanned aerial vehicle training centres will be set up in five government polytechnic colleges at a cost of Rs 50 lakh each.
New Indian Express
26-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Tamil Nadu Governor accuses DMK govt of blocking V-Cs from conference, likens action to Emergency
NILGIRIS/CHENNAI: Governor R N Ravi on Friday alleged that Chief Minister M K Stalin used police to deter Vice-Chancellors of state universities from participating in the pre-scheduled conference convened by him at the Ooty Raj Bhavan and claimed that the action was reminiscent of the Emergency days. When telephonic threats from Higher Education Minister (Govi Chezhiaan) to the V-Cs not to take part in the conference did not work, the CM used police, Ravi alleged, evoking a sharp rebuke from Chezhiaan. The minister said the governor intentionally 'played politics' despite the Supreme Court ruling in favour of the state government on the 10 bills re-adopted by the Tamil Nadu Assembly. 'Aware of the Supreme Court verdict, the V-Cs boycotted the conference. How is the state government responsible for this,' asked Chezhiaan. Speaking at the conference, Ravi said, 'Unfortunately, state universities are not participating in this conference. Because they have informed me, even in writing, that they have been warned by the state government not to participate. As of now, one of our V-Cs is in a police station. Others who reached Udhagamandalam received midnight knocks on their hotel rooms by the secret police's special branch.' 'Gross abuse of cops, is TN a police state?' 'They were threatened by the police with dire consequences to their life and that they would not be allowed to go home if they attended the conference. I advised them to take care of their families, and not to jeopardise their interests. I wish good sense prevails, because, essentially, this conference is meant to improve the quality (of education). There is no politics involved. It has been showing results,' Ravi said. Incidentally, the Salem city police held an inquiry with Periyar University Vice-Chancellor R Jagannathan on Friday regarding the cases registered against him. Later in the day, in a post on his social media handle 'X', Ravi said, 'Such a gross abuse of Police! Is it a police state? Don't V-Cs have academic freedom to attend an academic conference within the state? Or is CM Stalin afraid of consequences of rise in standards of state universities which largely cater to Dalit and poor students, and any quality improvement will make them aspirational and inspirational that could be a threat to his political future?' Speaking at the conference, Ravi alleged that state universities were not even communicating with each other and were all working in silos run by the secretariat. 'Deemed universities and autonomous institutions are excellent and get top 10 ranks in the NIRF ranking, but not a single state university had achieved a top ranking in NIRF. Our Madras University, which was once as a premier university in the country and ranked among top five, is nowhere in the reckoning today.' Ravi also said, 'Students from poor and marginalised communities often cannot afford private institutions and join government institutions, which, unfortunately, suffer from lack of quality education.' More than 34 V-Cs, registrars, deans, and officials from various public and private universities took part in the conference inaugurated by Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar. Among the state universities, two directors of Salem Periyar University and a dean from Alagappa University took part. 304 protesters held Police arrested 304 individuals from various movements for holding protests in various places to condemn the Tamil Nadu governor for holding the conference.
The Hindu
25-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
V-Cs refrained from taking part in conclave due to SC verdict, says Higher Education Minister
Intimidating people runs in the DNA of Bharatiya Janata Party. But the State government has in its DNA, the courage to fight for its rights, said Higher Education Minister Govi. Chezhiaan here on Friday. In response to the charge by Governor R.N. Ravi that the State government had threatened Vice-Chancellors of State universities because of which they did not attend the V-Cs conference he had organised in Ooty, Mr. Chezhiaan said the V-Cs were aware of the recent ruling of the Supreme Court which had passed the 10 Bills. The State Assembly had passed the Bills twice, but the Governor did not give his consent. The State government had to approach the Supreme Court which approved of them. Enraged by these developments the Governor convened the V-Cs conference with the aim of indulging in wrestling for power, Mr. Chezhiaan said. The V-Cs on their part refrained from the meeting as it would be against law. Recently the Bharatiya Janata Party has appointed a new leader for the State. The Governor might as well have opted for the post, he charged. The Governor could not digest that the Supreme Court had determined that Governors will have only three months to approve of Bills passed in the legislative assembly, which is why out of heartburn he invited the Vice President to the meeting he organised in Ooty, the Minister said. As Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi had charged that the Central government had not followed the recommendations of the Justice Mohan Punchchi Commission on the Centre - State relations which stated that politicians and persons with alternative ideals must not be made Governors. But, after becoming Prime Minister Mr. Modi was playing politics in non-BJP governments by appointing party politicians as Governors, Mr. Chezhiaan charged.
