The Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday urged the Madras High Court to permit it to appoint vice-chancellors in state universities by selecting one candidate from the shortlist recommended by the respective search committees.
The submission came as petitions relating to vice-chancellor appointments were taken up again after the Supreme Court lifted the stay on a state law that grants the government the power to appoint VCs, and directed the High Court to rehear and decide the matter. The state had earlier assured the Supreme Court that no appointments would be made until the High Court delivers its decision.
One of the cases was filed by advocate Venkatajalapathi of Tirunelveli challenging the state law. Another petition, moved by Bhaskar of Chengalpattu through counsel, sought the constitution of a high-level committee headed by a retired Chief Justice of the High Court to fill the vacant VC posts.
Appearing for the petitioner, senior counsel N.L. Raja said 15 of the 20 universities in the state were functioning without vice-chancellors, affecting policy decisions and stalling university work due to lack of financial allocations. Responding, Advocate General Vijay Narayan said the government’s undertaking before the Supreme Court had led to a freeze on appointments, and sought permission to choose one among the three names recommended by the search committee.
A bench comprising Chief Justice S.A. Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan said orders in the connected matters would be passed soon.
