Latest news with #OdishaUniversitiesAct
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Orissa HC disposes of PIL after govt cancels appointment of Utkal's in-charge V-C
CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court on Wednesday disposed of a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the appointment of Prof Jagneshwar Dandapat as the in-charge vice-chancellor (V-C) of Utkal University, following the state government's decision to cancel the appointment. Filed by high court lawyer and alumnus of Utkal University Prabir Kumar Das, the PIL had questioned the legality of the May 27 appointment, citing non-compliance with Section 6(10) of the Odisha Universities Act, 1989. Das contended that the procedure for appointing an acting V-C had not been followed. When the matter was taken up by the division bench of Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice MR Pathak, Advocate General Pitambar Acharya informed the court that the Chancellor of the university - the Governor of Odisha - had on July 22 issued an order cancelling the appointment of Prof Dandapat, a senior professor from the Biotechnology department. Acharya submitted that the cancellation was in line with the law and further stated that the state cabinet had cleared a proposal to amend the relevant provisions of the Odisha Universities Act through an ordinance. The proposed amendment, aimed at ensuring smoother university administration, would allow for the appointment of any qualified individual - not just sitting V-Cs - to the position of acting V-C, addressing the challenges of one person managing two universities simultaneously.
New Indian Express
17-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Odisha cabinet approves ordinance to expand Chancellor's powers in appointment of university V-Cs
BHUBANESWAR: The Cabinet on Wednesday approved promulgation of the Odisha Universities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 which is aimed at enhancing the jurisdiction of the Chancellor of Universities regarding appointment of V-Cs in public universities under the Odisha Universities Act, 1989. Through the ordinance, minor amendments have been made to overcome administrative problems. Currently, the term of V-Cs in most of the universities has either been completed or is going to be complete, and the process for selection of regular V-Cs has begun. Under the existing Act, appointing any V-C as in-charge V-C for one or more universities may lead to academic and administrative complications. Which is why, the government felt the need for further amendment in enhancing the jurisdiction of Chancellor.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Guv gets power to appoint interim VCs in state univs
Bhubaneswar: State cabinet, led by chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi, on Wednesday approved a new ordinance granting the governor enhanced powers to appoint interim vice-chancellors in state-funded universities. The Odisha Universities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, allows the governor, who serves as the chancellor of state universities, to appoint temporary VCs when regular appointments are pending after the incumbent's term expires. "The ordinance expands the chancellor's jurisdiction regarding VC appointments under the Odisha Universities Act, 1989," chief secretary Manoj Ahuja told reporters after the meeting. The ordinance is likely to be notified within a day or two. As per the existing Act, appointing an in-charge VC may lead to potential academic and administrative complications as they don't enjoy the full power of a regular VC. After the ordinance, while the governor can pick anyone as VC for the interim period, the person will enjoy the complete power of a VC till the regular appointment is made. The chancellor can fix the tenure of such VCs to ensure continuity and stability in university governance. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Các chỉ số toàn cầu đang biến động — Đã đến lúc giao dịch! IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo TOI had highlighted the problems of state universities in the absence of VCs in a series of articles. The govt's move comes at a crucial time, with 13 out of 17 state universities either operating without permanent vice-chancellors or those approaching the end of their current tenures. Officials said the ordinance was necessary as the regular selection process for new appointments could be time-consuming, and the appointment of in-charge VCs would slow down university works. While academics welcomed the move, they expressed reservations about the power to appoint anyone as interim VC without fixing eligibility criteria, which would include non-academics and administrators. Last month, the higher education department invited applications from eligible applicants for the post of VCs of 13 state public universities.
New Indian Express
10-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Odisha High Court tells state govt to speed up regular V-C appointment in public universities
CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court on Tuesday scheduled July 23 for further hearing on the PIL alleging violation of the Odisha Universities Act, 1989, in appointing a university faculty member as acting vice-chancellor of Utkal University. High Court lawyer and Utkal University alumnus Prabir Kumar Das filed the PIL which specifically challenged the Chancellor's notification dated May 27, 2025, designating Professor Jagneshwar Dandapat, as in-charge V-C until a regular appointment is made. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice MS Raman focused on Section 6(10) of the Odisha Universities (Amendment) Act, 2024 - notified on April 17, 2025 - which now permits the Chancellor, in consultation with the state government, to appoint any vice-chancellor of a public university in the state as acting V-C, instead of restricting the choice to V-Cs from neighbouring universities. The bench noted that the recent amendment sets a maximum period of one year (including extensions) for such interim arrangements. It also took note of a recent Supreme Court directive to expedite permanent V-C appointments, with the state already initiating the process. Appreciating the state's intent to rectify the issue, the court underscored the need to strictly adhere to the statutory provisions. Advocate general Pitambar Acharya assured the bench that he would personally review the matter to ensure compliance with the law. The court has directed the state to take appropriate corrective steps before then. On June 24, the court had observed that Section 6(8) of the Act allows the Chancellor to extend the outgoing V-C's term for up to six months, but the current notification failed to meet this criterion. 'Prime facie, the issue raised needs to be determined finally, as this may become a recurring feature in other universities as well,' the bench remarked. Utkal University has been operating without a regular vice-chancellor since November 24, 2024, following the expiry of the previous incumbent's term.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
HC raises concerns over delay in appointing permanent VC of Utkal varsity
Cuttack: Orissa high court has raised concerns over the delay in appointing a permanent vice-chancellor (VC) for Utkal University and questioned the legality of the interim appointment made by the chancellor, governor Hari Babu Kambhampati. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The post has remained vacant since Nov 24, 2024, following the end of the previous VC's term. On May 27, 2025, the chancellor appointed Jagneshwar Dandapat, a senior professor at the university's biotechnology department, as the in-charge VC. However, a PIL filed by high court lawyer and Utkal University alumnus Prabir Kumar Das challenged the appointment, alleging a violation of the Odisha Universities Act, 1989. The petition contended that the notification did not comply with the provisions of Section 6(10) of the Act which outlines the procedure for appointing an acting VC. Taking note of the issue, a division bench, comprising Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice M S Raman, observed on July 8 that the recent amendment to the Act, notified on April 17, 2025, allows the chancellor, in consultation with the state govt, to appoint any sitting VC of a public university in Odisha as a stopgap arrangement, with a maximum term of one year. The state govt informed the court that following a Supreme Court directive, the process for appointing permanent VCs across universities has already begun and will be completed shortly. While appreciating the state's response, the court stressed that 'the provisions of the law must be respected and followed in letter and spirit'. Advocate general Pitambar Acharya assured the bench that he would personally look into the matter and take corrective measures if any violation is found. The bench posted the matter for further hearing on July 23, directing the state to take 'appropriate steps' by then.
