CHENNAI: Putting an end to the uncertainty over norms for appointment of principals in government-aided colleges across Tamil Nadu, the Madras High Court has directed the State higher education department to invariably follow UGC Regulations, 2010 in this regard.
Though the University Grants Commission (UGC), the apex regulator body for higher education in the country replaced Regulations of 2000 with subsequent regulation of 2010, several government and aided colleges adopted UGC Regulations, 2000 for appointing teachers and other academic staff.
In one such instance, Ethiraj College for Women in Chennai appointed M Thilakavathy, professor from department of history and tourism as the Principal of the college in 2014. A group of senior and meritorious professors, who were far-more qualified, challenged this appointment of a junior person as principal in the Madras High Court on the ground that selection had been made following UGC Regulations 2000, even though the regulations were superseded by UGC Regulations, 2010.
The three-member selection committee constituted to select the principal had not considered Academic Performance Indicators (API) Scores and Performance Based Appraisal System (PBAS) as mandated by UGC Regulations, 2010, claimed the petitioners. “Professor S Vittal, one of the three selection committee members was absent on the day of selection”. In response to this, the college management argued that API scores were meant only for screening purpose and UGC Regulations and appointment was made based on UGC Regulations, 2000, which states that discretion in this regard lies only with the chairperson of the said committee.
After hearing arguments from both the sides, Justice M M Sundresh in January 2015 set aside the appointment of Thilakavathy as principal and directed the college to follow the selection procedure as contemplated under UGC Regulations, 2010. The court, however, allowed Thilakavathy to continue as principal until a fresh selection was made. The chairman board of trustees, Ethiraj College went on an appeal and a comprising Justices Huluvadi G Ramesh and Teeka Raman on June 22 upheld the single judge’s verdict and directed the college management to select the principal on the basis of UGC Regulations 2010 (based on merit, ability and seniority)
The court also directed the State government to take all necessary steps for framing rules and regulations and communicate it to all universities, which in turn should frame guidelines for constitution of necessary committees within a reasonable time.