TN will fight UGC rules on V-C: Stalin

The new University Grants Commission regulations granting governors broader control over appointments of vice chancellors and allowing non-academics to hold these posts are a direct assault on federalism and state rights, said chief minister MK Stalin on Tuesday amid the on-going tussle with governor RN Ravi on the issue. “Education must remain in the hands of those chosen by the people, not dictated by Governors acting at the BJP government’s behest.” This came after the UGC draft guidelines were released by Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday for faculty recruitment, promotions in higher education institutions, opening V-C positions to non-academics. Ravi had asked the state government to recall its notification dated December 9 over a search committee constituted for the post of vice chancellor for Annamalai University, saying that since it does not include a nominee from UGC and it violates directions of the Supreme Court. In response Tamil Nadu’s higher education minister Govi Chezhian said they have followed rules per the concerned laws of the state universities. The governor’s search committee comprises nominees of – the chancellor, Government of Tamil Nadu, syndicate of the university and the UGC chairman.