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New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Standoff escalates between Himachal Pradesh Governor Shukla and state govt over VC appointment
CHANDIGARH: The ongoing standoff between the Himachal Pradesh government and Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla over the appointment of vice-chancellors for the state's two premier agricultural universities, with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu asserting that the Governor must abide by the government's directives since his powers as Chancellor stem from legislative statutes rather than constitutional provisions. The dispute escalated after the state government withdrew an advertisement for VC appointments at Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (Solan) and CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University (Palampur) on August 11, citing a pending amendment bill that is set to be reintroduced in the upcoming assembly session. However, the Raj Bhawan countered by extending the application deadline to August 13, insisting that the Chancellor's authority under the existing Act empowers him to proceed independently of the council of ministers' advice. "The powers that the Governor enjoys as the Chancellor of a university are not constitutional but given by the Vidhan Sabha Act, so he must act on the directives of the legislature and the government," Sukhu said, adding that the cabinet had already halted the selection process on July 27. The Agriculture Secretary subsequently declared any further recruitment steps by the Governor's office "null and void," but the Raj Bhawan maintained its stance, stating that the Chancellor's statutory role makes him the sole authority to initiate VC appointments. In a recent notification, the Governor clarified, "The chancellor, while exercising the statutory powers under the specific Act, is not bound by the aid and advice of the council of ministers as he was not exercising his constitutional powers but is exercising his statutory powers." The two universities have been without permanent VCs since August 2023 and May 2024, respectively. Sukhu, while expressing respect for the Governor, revealed that several key bills, including the Sukhashraya Bill and anti-corruption legislation, remain pending approval. "The bill for amendment to the Himachal Pradesh University of Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry Act, 1986, had been pending with the Governor for a long time and now, he had sent it back with some objections," he said. The Chief Minister plans to personally meet the Governor to resolve the impasse, stating, "I will personally meet the Governor and discuss the issue with him as he might have been advised by some official." Earlier, Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar had urged the Governor to suspend the selection process until the assembly revisits the amendment bill in the monsoon session starting August 18. However, with the Raj Bhawan continuing the recruitment drive, the standoff highlights broader tensions over gubernatorial powers and legislative oversight in the state.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Standoff escalates between governor and state govt over appointment of VCs
1 2 Shimla: The ongoing standoff between governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and the Himachal Pradesh govt over the appointment of vice chancellors of Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry in Solan and CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University in Palampur has escalated. Shukla, as chancellor of universities, has now held the state agriculture secretary's Aug 11 letter as 'patently illegal' and 'unconstitutional' for unilaterally withdrawing the advertisements issued by the Raj Bhawan secretariat on July 21 for the appointment of vice chancellors of these two varsities. Terming the letter issued by agriculture secretary C Paulrasu as 'nonest in the eyes of law', the governor has now set aside the letter. "The advertisement, being issued under a specific Act, while exercising statutory powers can only be withdrawn by the authority that issued it," clarified Shukla. Restoring the advertisement notices issued by the Raj Bhavan secretariat on July 21, the governor has now extended the time period for receiving applications from the aspirants for the post of vice chancellors of these two varsities up to Aug 18. The posts of vice chancellors of the Palampur university and Solan university have been vacant since Aug 21, 2023, and May 8 this year, respectively. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Purva Kharadi Plus – 2/3 BHKs with 50+ Perks Codename Kharadi Plus Enquire Now Undo The governor has reiterated that the process to fill these two posts has been initiated by him in accordance with rules, legal as well as constitutional provisions. Meanwhile, the agriculture secretary, in his Aug 11 letter, termed the selection process of the vice chancellors initiated by the governor as illegal and 'against the spirit of the constitution and values of democracy'. Earlier, agriculture minister Chander Kumar, on July 26, wrote to the governor to keep the selection committee in abeyance, stating that the Amendment Bill, 2023, pertaining to the appointment of vice chancellors, is to be reconsidered by the legislative assembly in the forthcoming monsoon session starting from Aug 18. The Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha, on Sep 21, 2023, passed The Himachal Pradesh Universities of Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which mandates the governor to appoint vice chancellors on the "aid and advice" of the state govt. However, the governor returned the Bill to the state govt with the observation to make amendments in the Bill for the constitution of a selection committee. However, the governor, in the notification issued on Thursday, clarified, "The chancellor, while exercising the statutory powers under the specific Act, is not bound by the aid and advice of the council of ministers as he was not exercising his constitutional powers but is exercising his statutory powers." Responding to the agriculture secretary's Aug 11 letter, the governor mentioned that the chancellor, having statutory powers under the Act, is the sole competent authority to initiate the process of appointment of the vice chancellor. Therefore, it is implicit that the process for such appointments is to be initiated by the office of the chancellor and not otherwise as inferred by the advocate general in his advice. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. "Get the latest news updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."
Hindustan Times
08-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
VP Dhankhar urges rural youth to become agri-entrepreneurs
Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, while interacting with the students at the Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, on Saturday stressed on use of Artificial Intelligence in agriculture. He remarked, 'Nowadays, when we talk about Artificial Intelligence, the younger generation is indeed fortunate because they can journey from Agriculture Intelligence to Artificial Intelligence.' He further added, 'You can travel from Agriculture Intelligence (AI) to Artificial Intelligence. Artificial Intelligence, Agriculture Intelligence is the medium that will bring revolutionary changes in the rural system. The life of the farmer will change.' Speaking on the roadmap to a developed India at the university, the Vice-President stated, 'The path to a developed India goes only one way — through the farmer's field. And that will happen only when you hold the farmer's hand.' He described farmers not only as annadata (providers of food) but also as bhagya vidhata — shapers of our destiny. Expressing concern over the export-oriented mindset, Dhankhar said, 'I find it very troubling when people say — 'this is export material, this is for export'. Why? Shouldn't we eat the best, wear the best?' He proudly pointed out how Indians are now leading major global institutions and lauded the rising participation of women in leadership roles. On the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, the Vice-President urged the Indian Council of Agricultural Research to revise the current ₹6,000 payout in line with inflation. He said, 'If support is given directly to the farmer… If the indirect financial support being given to the agriculture sector is routed directly to farmer families, then, based on my assessment, and that assessment comes after study — where they now get ₹6,000 annually, they will end up receiving ₹30,000 a year.' Highlighting the benefits of direct subsidies, he said, 'If the fertilizer subsidy is given directly to farmers, the farmer will decide — do I want to buy that fertilizer, or raise livestock and use cow dung manure instead? The farmer will think — should I do organic farming, natural farming? The farmer will make that decision himself.' Emphasizing rural entrepreneurship, the Vice-President said, 'Boys and girls from the farming community in rural areas must be trained to become entrepreneurs, agri-entrepreneurs. A force must be raised.' Citing the example of the United States, he noted that the average income of farming families there is higher than that of average households because government support goes directly to farmers. Underscoring the need for value addition, Dhankhar remarked, 'Today we must pay attention to the rural system. Vegetables come to the village from cities, fruits come from cities — how can we tolerate this in our country? That when tomatoes are in surplus, they are dumped on the streets?' He called for value addition and food processing to be done at the farmland level. The vice President also planted a sapling in memory of his mother Kesari Devi and also visited the exhibition on the campus by various farmer producers organizations and start ups. 'Success of Op Sindoor has given different identity to country' 'Success of Operation Sindoor has given a different identity to the country', said the Vice-President at Dr YS Parmar Horticulture and Forestry University Nauni in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh on Saturday. Talking about the valour of the Armed forces of the country, Dhankhar said, 'This is the first occasion when no one is asking for proof of this'.
Time of India
07-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Need to revise farm scheme in proportion to inflation: Dhankar
Shimla: Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday called upon the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to revise the current Rs 6,000 payment under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme to account for inflation. "If the indirect financial support being given to the agriculture sector is routed directly to farmer families then, based on my assessment, and that assessment comes after study — where they now get Rs 6,000 annually, they will end up receiving Rs 30,000 a year," said Dhankhar, while addressing the students at Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry in Solan. He said the path to a developed India went only one way and that was through the farmer's field. "And that will happen only when you hold the farmer's hand," Dhankhar said, adding that farmers were not only "annadata (providers of food)", "but also bhagya vidhata (shapers of our destiny)". While focusing on the direct subsidies' benefits, the Vice-President said if the fertiliser subsidy was given directly to the farmer, the farmer would decide whether he wanted to buy that fertiliser or raise livestock and use cow dung manure instead. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like ¡Los Estados Unidos le ofrece el mejor futuro para usted y su familia! Usafis Registrarse Undo "The farmer will think — should I do organic farming, natural farming? The farmer will make that decision himself," he said. Boys and girls from the farming community in the rural areas ust be trained to become entrepreneurs and agri-entrepreneurs, Dhankhar added. Citing an example of the United States, he noted that the average income of farming families there was higher than that of average households because govt support went directly to the farmers. TNN
