The appointment process of Vice Chancellors (VCs) and Pro-VCs for the State universities has again gathered momentum. The process, which was paused due to onset of Model code of conduct for lok Sabha election notification from March 5, has again set to roll as the Raj Bhawan has received ‘No Objection Certificate’ from the Election Commission of India three days ago.
According to a senior official at Raj Bhawan, Governor cum Chancellor of Jharkhand State Universities Dr Syed Ahmed who had formed a search committee for the appointments is eager to declare the final list at the earliest. “The posts of VC at state universities including Kolhan University (KU), Vinoba Bhave University (VBU), Sido Kanhu Murmu University (SKMU) and Nilamber Pitamber University (NPU) are under additional charge over six months. This is creating problems in the academic and administration of the universities. Due to this reason, a request for continuation of this appointment process was sent to Election Commission about 15 days back on behalf of the Governor,” the officer said.
Speaking on the prompt action of the commission, he said, “In order to provide this certificate, Election Commission wanted a clarification on whether the state government is consulted for the panel of candidates recommended for the vacant senior-most university positions. Governor was forwarded the No Objection Certificate two or three days back after the feedback on their query was submitted.”
“The search committee has followed the guidelines of University Grants Commission (UGC). As many as three to five candidates have been nominated for one post of VC and simultaneously for Pro-VC,” this officer maintained.
An officer of Governor House declining to be quoted said that the search committee had submitted the file of final names to Governor in February. Now the decision is entirely upon the Chancellor, he said. Meanwhile, the senior State government officer said, “The tentative date of notification is not yet fixed but it is likely to be issued in a month because we have still not approached state government for suggestions on this final list of selected candidates. It will take sometime.”
The nominations were decided after an interview of 66 shortlisted candidates by search committee comprising former VC of Ranchi University Dr AA Khan, Jharkhand High Court Justice DN Patel, Chief Secretary RS Sharma and Principal Secretary to Governor RS Poddar held on January 25.
Notably, Chancellor’s consideration of choosing intellectuals on the basis of ‘Jharkhand as Fifth Schedule State’ is also awaited. State human resources development minister Geetashree Oraon had raised this matter in January. She had told the pioneer on January 31 that Chief Minister Hemant Soren had assured her not to approve this list from his side as well if she rejects the decision of search committee.