CHENNAI: Governor and Chancellor RN Ravi on Monday asked the State government to immediately reconstitute the search committees for appointing Vice-Chancellors by including a nominee of the University Grants Commission chairman, or, alternatively, put the entire selection process on hold until the Supreme Court settles the issue.
The Governor-Chancellor flagged what he described as serious legal infirmities in the constitution and continued functioning of search-cum-selection committees for State universities, including Bharathiar University, Bharathidasan University, and Periyar University.
The present constitution of the committees violated mandatory UGC Regulations, 2018, which require the inclusion of a UGC chairman's nominee, it said.
"The continuation of the selection process by search committees constituted contrary to binding UGC regulations and during the pendency of judicial proceedings is not legally sustainable," the Governor said, warning that any appointments made through such a process could be declared void.
Citing Supreme Court rulings, Lok Bhavan underlined that UGC regulations have statutory force and prevail over conflicting State enactments. It also pointed out that interim orders of the Madras High Court staying amendments that transferred the Vice-Chancellor appointing power from the Chancellor to the State government were still in force, while related matters are pending before the Supreme Court.
Despite this, the government has extended the tenure of the search committees till March 21, and allowed them to proceed with candidate interactions, which is contrary to the spirit of judicial restraint and the doctrine of lis pendens, it said.
The Governor said he had formally requested the government to either comply with the UGC mandate by inducting the required nominee or place all ongoing proceedings in abeyance until the apex court delivers its verdict.
He reiterated his commitment to constitutional propriety, the rule of law and the autonomy and academic standards of State universities.