a day ago
SC observations vindicate State's stand on V-C appointments: Bindu
Higher Education Minister R. Bindu has said that the Supreme Court's observations on Vice-Chancellor (V-C) appointments affirm the State government's position that all authorities must act within the bounds of the law.
The Minister, while addressing media persons here on Wednesday, said the apex court's remarks have clearly upheld the constitutional role and authority of the State government in the process.
'The Supreme Court has explicitly referenced key statutory provisions, including Section 13(7) of the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University Act and Section 11(10) of Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology Act, which mandate that V-C appointments must be made in consultation with or on the recommendation of the State government. Despite the courts having pointed this out repeatedly, those in charge have challenged the framework and acted unilaterally,' she said, taking a swipe at Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.
Dr. Bindu, however, declined to comment on the State's response to the Supreme Court's directive to submit names for the search-cum-selection committee that will be tasked with recommending candidates for the V-C posts at the two universities.
She maintained that the move is not an interim verdict, but rather a procedural step, and that the final ruling is yet to come. The government will present its views before the court when the case is taken up for hearing on Thursday, the Minister added.
