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The Hindu
10 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
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.
The Hindu
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
BJP-backed Syndicate members accuse govt. of encroaching into university autonomy
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-backed Syndicate members of Kerala and Calicut Universities have criticised the alleged efforts made by the State government to intervene in the administration of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, calling it an unconstitutional overreach and politically motivated. In a joint statement, Syndicate members A.K. Anuraj (Calicut University), Vinod Kumar T.G. Nair and P.S. Gopakumar (Kerala University) alleged that the Higher Education department initiated an investigation into the KTU without informing the Vice-Chancellor. They termed this a blatant violation of protocol and a calculated attempt to destabilise the higher education system in Kerala. The move, they added, was part of a broader strategy by the ruling Left Democratic Front government to gain control over the university administration. Against Bills They also raised concerns over the University Laws (Amendment) Bills, which were recently passed by the State Assembly, alleging attempts to turn universities into political battlegrounds. The Bills, if enacted, would undermine the autonomy of universities, they cautioned. The BJP-aligned Syndicate and Senate members of the universities will organise a protest in front of the Secretariat on Friday against the proposed legislations.
Indian Express
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
As President raises questions on SC order, a look at pending Bills in Opposition states
With the Supreme Court recently setting a three-month deadline for the President and Governors to act on Bills sent by state Assemblies, President Droupadi Murmu has sought the top court's opinion under Article 143(1) on whether their actions are justiciable and if such timelines can be imposed on them in the absence of any such provision in the Constitution. In a judgment on April 8, the Supreme Court set a timeline for Governors to act on Bills, and for the first time, prescribed that the President should decide on the Bills reserved for consideration by the Governor within three months from the date on which such reference is received. Under Article 201 of the Constitution, no timeframe has been set for a presidential decision. Apart from Tamil Nadu, several Opposition-ruled states also approached the top court against their Governors over 'inordinate delay' in giving assent to Bills, many of which seek to 'curb' the role of Governors in state-run universities. Here is a look at which states approached the Supreme Court and the current status of the Bills. Citing the top court's order, Bills in Tamil Nadu that had been stalled were deemed to have become law from the date on which they were originally presented to the Governor for assent. The Bills that became law are Tamil Nadu Fisheries University (Amendment) Bill, 2020; Tamil Nadu Universities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2022; Tamil Nadu Dr Ambedkar Law University (Amendment) Bill, 2022; Tamil Nadu Dr M G R Medical University, Chennai (Amendment) Bill, 2022; Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (Amendment) Bill, 2022; Tamil University (Second Amendment) Bill, 2022; Tamil Nadu Universities Laws (Second Amendment) Bill, 2022; and Tamil Nadu Fisheries University (Amendment) Bill, 2023. The Madras University (Amendment) Bill, 2022, and the Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (Amendment) Bill, 2023, did not receive the Governor's assent due to technical reasons and are being rewritten or reconsidered. In March 2024, the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government approached the Supreme Court against the President for withholding assent to four Bills passed by the Assembly without giving 'any reason whatsoever' and then Governor Arif Mohammad Khan for keeping seven Bills 'pending for as long as two years' and then referring them to the President, terming the actions 'manifestly arbitrary'. The government has argued in the top court that the Bills awaiting Presidential assent must be deemed as law in accordance with its judgment in the Tamil Nadu case. The Bills in question include University Laws (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2021; University Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021; the Kerala Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2022; the University Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2022; Kerala Lok Ayukta (Amendment) Bill, 2022; The University Laws (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2022; and The University Laws (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill, 2022. After Khan gave his assent to some of the Bills, the Kerala government on May 6 sought to withdraw the case, saying that the Supreme Court's judgment on Tamil Nadu's petition had settled the matter. However, the Governor's counsel opposed the move. Of the three Bills now with the President, one on the appointment of V-Cs was rejected and the remaining two are pending. Though there was some friction between the government and Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot over some Bills, it is not as intense as in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, according to Law and Parliamentary Affairs Department officials. Last month, 13 Bills were awaiting assent, seven, including the controversial Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill and Mysuru Development Authority Bill were cleared by him. According to government sources, six Bills passed by the legislature are pending with the Governor. These are Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj University Bill, 2024, which replaced Governor as the chancellor of the varsity with the CM; Karnataka (Mineral Rights and Mineral Bearing Land) Tax Bill, 2024, which was expected to generate a revenue of Rs 4,700 crore for the state exchequer; Mysuru Development Authority Bill, 2024; Karnataka Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2024; Karnataka Souharda Sahakari (Amendment) Bill, 2024; and Karnataka State Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023. The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government moved the Supreme Court in July 2024, accusing Governor C V Ananda Bose of violating Article 200 of the Constitution by blocking seven Bills 'without explanation'. The Bills include the West Bengal University Laws (Amendment) Bill, the West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences (Amendment) Bill, the West Bengal Private University Laws (Amendment) Bill, the West Bengal Krishi Viswavidyalaya Laws, the West Bengal University of Health Sciences (Amendment) Bill, the Aliah University (Amendment) Bill, and the West Bengal Town and Country (Planning and Development) (Amendment) Bill. The matter is pending before the top court and none of these Bills have received assent. In April 2023, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government in Telangana approached the Supreme Court, accusing then Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan of withholding assent to 10 Bills. The Bills in question included The Azamabad Industrial Area (Termination and Regulation of Leases) (Amendment) Bill, 2022; The Telangana Municipal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2022; The Telangana Public Employment (Regulation of Age of Superannuation) (Amendment) Bill, 2022; The University of Forestry Telangana Bill, 2022; The Telangana Universities Common Recruitment Board Bill, 2022; The Telangana Motor Vehicles Taxation (Amendment) Bill, 2022; The Telangana State Private Universities (Establishment and Regulation) (Amendment) Bill, 2022; The Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (Amendment) Bill, 2023; he Telangana Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and The Telangana Municipalities (Amendment) Bill, 2023. The case was closed after the Centre told the Supreme Court in June that year that none of the Bills were pending and the Governor had returned them with her comments. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, moved the top court in October 2023, accusing then Governor Banwarilal Purohit of sitting on key Bills. The Governor had not given his assent to four Bills: Punjab Police (Amendment) Bill, 2023; Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023; Punjab University Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023; and Punjab Affiliated Colleges (Security of Service) Amendment Bill, 2023. In a rap to Purohit last November, a Bench of the top court comprising then Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said, 'The Governor cannot be at liberty to keep the Bill pending indefinitely without taking any action whatsoever. Failing to make a decision and keeping a duly passed Bill pending for indeterminate periods is a course of action inconsistent with that expression.' Days ahead of the verdict, Purohit gave his assent to one legislation – Punjab Affiliated Colleges (Security of Service) Amendment Bill, 2023. At present, the other three are pending.
The Hindu
22-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Supreme Court to consider pleas of Kerala against Governor over delay in approving bills passed by State Assembly
The Supreme Court on Tuesday (April 22, 2025) agreed to consider on May 6 pleas of Kerala Govt against Governor over delay in approving bills passed by State Assembly. The Union Government argued that the judgment on Tamil Nadu Governor's case does not cover Kerala's case against delay by its Governor. Also Read: TN Government vs Governor SC judgment updates: April 8, 2025 Attorney-General and Solicitor-General, both appearing for the Centre, said the facts are different in Kerala. A Bench headed by Justice P.S. Narasimha agreed to consider Kerala's plea for a declaration from the court that the Tamil Nadu Governor, limiting the time for Governors to clear Bills in a maximum of three months, would apply to Kerala. The hearing has been scheduled for May 6. Read full judgement of TN Government vs Governor SC judgment In the wake of the Supreme Court's landmark judgment, deeming the Bills kept pending by Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi to have received assent, Kerala too moved the Supreme Court. Kerala contended that all the Bills that are pending with the President, and those for which she had withheld assent, be deemed as passed since the very act of the Governor sitting on them and later referring them to the President was 'erroneous in law'. Among Bills the President has withheld assent to are the the University Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021; University Laws (Amendment no. 2) Bill, 2021; Kerala Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2022; and the University Laws (Amendment no. 3) Bill, 2022, which were referred to her by the Governor.
