THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Crisis has emerged in the Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC), the apex advisory body in the state’s higher education sector, as five members nominated by the previous LDF government have refused to resign even after the UDF assumed office.
Though the UDF government recently appointed a new vice-chairperson and member secretary after the incumbents stepped down, the continued presence of five LDF-nominated members has created a stalemate. In 2023, the LDF government had nominated senior academics Sabu Thomas, M S Rajasree, P P Ajayakumar, Paul V Karanthanam and K K Damodaran to the council’s executive body for a four-year term.
The then VC of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) Saji Gopinath was also nominated, but only for a one-year term. Under the rules, the tenure of the five other members will expire only in September 2027. However, the UDF government believes their continued presence in the apex body could create roadblocks to implementing its key policy decisions.
Last month, Rajan Gurukkal and Rajan Varughese resigned as vice-chairperson and member secretary, respectively. The duo had led the council since 2017. “Even though the LDF wanted all its nominees to serve their full term till 2027, Gurukkal and Varughese stepped down citing propriety,” a source close to them said. However, the five executive body members have decided to stay put.
Sources said the government may have to promulgate an ordinance amending the law to enable the council’s complete reconstitution before implementing major policy decisions. “Under the existing law, members of the executive body cannot be removed except on disciplinary grounds,” a senior official said.
The LDF had adopted the same route after coming to power in 2016. At the time, a few UDF nominees had continued in the executive body despite the resignation of the then vice-chairperson T P Sreenivasan and member secretary P Anwar. The then LDF government amended the law, dissolved the governing council and reconstituted the executive body.
The KSHEC finds itself in a difficult position as the executive body is required to meet every month. “With a new vice-chairperson and member secretary, the council cannot postpone the meeting indefinitely,” said an official. Government sources said the administration is likely to promulgate an ordinance soon to remove the LDF nominees if they refuse to step down voluntarily.
Deadlock
Five LDF nominees refuse to vacate executive body
UDF fears policy decisions could face roadblocks
Members’ four-year tenure extends until Sep 2027
Govt mulls ordinance to reconstitute council completely
Monthly executive body meetings cannot be delayed