With the change of guard on two important posts in the State bureaucracy, the appointment process on the vacant posts of Ranchi University (RU) Vice Chancellor and Pro VCs of Sido Kanhu Murmu University (SKMU) and Nilamber Pitamber University (NPU) have been apparently put on hold.

RU VC lN Bhagat and SKMU Pro-VC Ram Yatan Prasad are retiring on January 31 while the post of Nilamber Pitamber University (NPU) is vacant for past few months.

The appointment of the top officials of the three State universities is set to get delayed with the change of two important members in the Search Committee formed by Governor Dr Syed Ahmed.

Earlier, the members of the committee included Jharkhand High Court Justice RR Prasad, former Chief Secretary Sajal Chakraverty, Governor’s Principal Secretary RS Poddar and Former RU VC KK Nag.

However, the transfer of CS and Principal Secretary to Governor has stalled the process. On January 20, Rajiv Gauba was appointed the new Chief Secretary of the State and the Nitin Madan Kulkarni was made the Principal Secretary to Governor. Resultantly the meeting of the search committee scheduled on January 28 was postponed, said sources.

“We have not decided the date of meeting, the new member of the search committee. But, it will be held soon. Unless, the meeting is organised, the appointment process of the three vacant university posts cannot be announced,” Governor’s Officer on Special Duty (Judicial) Nalin Kumar said.

Meanwhile, SKMU VC Ahsan Qamar and RU Pro-VC M Raziuddin are ready to take the additional responsibilities from February 1.

“Problems will remain the same. Being the acting VC, I am merely a caretaker and cannot make new announcements. Despite the odds, I will try to ensure regular functioning of classes,” Raziuddin said.

For Qamar, it is not the first time to manage ‘single handed responsibility’.

“Completing the three year tenure is a routine job for VC and Pro-VC. I have earlier managed single handed duties in universities and departments I was posted,” Qamar said.

The last date for submitting applications for the concerned posts of VC and Pro-VC was December 9, 2014.

An applicant should have at least 10 years of experience as university professor or similar years of experience in an equivalent position in a reputed research or academic administrative organisation. On the other hand, a full-time university professor is eligible for Pro-VC post.

Sources mentioned after scrutiny of applicants, the search committee will choose three deserving names for each post. The Chancellor has the authority to decide the final name.