lending a queer twist to the controversy doggedly haunting Uttarakhand Ayurveda University for some time, the former Uttarakhand Governor Dr Aziz Qureshi extended the tenure of the varsity’s Vice-Chancellor Satyendra Prasad Mishra for three years in less than five days after the State Government had extended the same for six months. While the first order was issued by the State Government on January 2 the next issued in the name of the Governor followed on January 7. The Pioneer has copies of both the orders in its possession. This has had eyebrows raised in the administrative and academic corridors. The question is — why Dr Qureshi had shown over-enthusiasm in extending further the tenure of the VC by rescinding the earlier State Government-issued order. Was it driven by public interests or by some other designIJ
Notably, Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) had given conditional recognition to the Rishikul and Gurukul Ayurveda College in the education year 2014-15. However, the college affiliated to Uttarakhand Ayurveda University could not meet the criteria due to litigation dragging in the High Court. The VC’s term was supposed to end by January 2015. As per the norms, the VC could not take decision on policy matters regarding appointment of faculty either on contract or regular for three months preceding his retirement. Seemingly in a bind, the university had approached the Governor, who is also chancellor of the university, asking for an extension of the VC’s term to facilitate faculty recruitment. With the Governor giving the nod, the State Government issued the order on January 2, 2015, thus extending the term for six months or till the time the new VC is appointed.
After five days i.e. on January 7, 2015, Dr Qureshi issued a separate order issued in his name, raising the extension from the previous six months to three years. Interestingly, he
left Uttarakhand for Mizoram to assume gubernatorial
charge in the North-eastern State the same day.
Investigation by The Pioneer reveals that Dr Qureshi had used his authority on the basis of Uttarakhand Ayurveda University Act-2009.
Rajbhawan seemed to have acted on the basis of Chapter IV Section 11, Sub-section 1.
It states that a working council would shortlist the panel for the appointment of the Vice- Chancellor. Panel may comprise three to five members and the maximum age bar of the candidates applying for the VC’s post would be 65 years. While the Act’s page no 20 sub- section 9 categorically says that the VC should be a retired teacher of international repute and his appointment would be for five years or till the time he turns 65, whichever is earlier. Significantly, the incumbent VC would turn 65 on January 15 this year.
As per the Rajbhawan order, which bears the signature of Rajbhawan Secretary Arun Kumar Dhondiyal, Prof SP Mishra has been appointed as VC of Ayurveda University for three years i.e. from January 2015 to January 2018 as per the Act-2009 under section 11,sub- section 1.
Thus, it is clear that the order issued in a tearing hurry with the Governor’s office not taking pains to study the fine-print of the Act and the contradiction inherent in it over the age bar of the VC used one section while ignoring the other.
Now, the question is- would the new Governor Dr KK Paul who has stressed on probity and transparence after he assumed charge will go for the corrective measure to set things right and dig into the mystery, if any, shrouding the second extension of the varsity’s VCIJCracking the whip on those polluting Yamuna, the National Green Tribunal has passed a slew of directions including a fine of Rs 5,000 on individuals spotted throwing waste or religious items in the river as it unveiled a plan for its restoration.