CHENNAI: IT is not just the political players and observers who eagerly await the RK Nagar bypoll to end. Education administrators, academicians and even students wait as the model code of conduct is in force till the polling process draws to a close. It has held up appointments of vice-chancellors in two institutions: the Anna University and the University of Madras.
According to sources in the academia, the search committee formed to recommend the names of possible vice-chancellors have met a few times recently, and have finalised the list. It could be sent to the Governor, the Chancellor of both universities, in one day, added the source. But with the model code in force, all appointments and promotions require the prior permission of the Election Commission of India till April 17, the day it would be withdrawn.
Sources in the University of Madras told Express that the varsity management sent a letter to the commission seeking permission to proceed with the appointment process.
“We are waiting for clearance from the Election Commission,” said a source. However, Anna University was yet to take any such steps.
Though mandatory as per procedure, this delay has left the faculty members and academicians fuming, who say that the appointment of V-Cs has already been delayed. This affects the administrative and academic functioning of the institutions.
“Knowing that the election was due, they could have finished the process long ago, or could have at least requested for exemption. But nobody is bothered about vice-chancellors,” said a professor.
Another senior faculty member echoed the same view, alleging that the search committee did not do its job responsibly. “They kept changing the names of the nominees,” he said, noting that this affected the routine of the institutions such as issuing degree certificates, convocation and promotion of faculty members that were put on hold.
“With election now, there will be a further delay of a month or two,” he added.
“The names of the nominees will be submitted by the end of this month. We are hopeful that the commission will grant us permission to continue with the appointment process, as this is an important position,” said Surendra Prasad, a member of the vice-chancellor search committee, University of Madras.