BENGALURU: Ending the stalemate after nearly 10 months, Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala, who is the Chancellor of Universities, finally okayed the appointment of vice-chancellors to six universities late on Monday evening. Interestingly, the Raj Bhavan’s nod came within hours of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah calling on the Governor over the appointments.
The delay in appointments had become a cause of friction between the governor and the government. A couple of days ago, Higher Education Minister R V Deshpande had pointed fingers at Vala for the delay.
During his two-hour-long meeting with Vala, Siddaramaiah, accompanied by Deshpande and Bharath Lal Meena, Principal Secretary, Higher Education, clarified all questions raised by the former over appointments.
According to sources, Vala raised several questions regarding the government’s moves in appointing the VCs. He also reportedly expressed his displeasure over the way the government had recommended just one name for the post in each university without giving him a choice.
Emerging out of Raj Bhavan, the CM said, “It was a cordial meeting. There is no question of confrontation between the government and the hovernor. He raised several questions about appointment of VCs. We have sent the recommended list of candidates to Raj Bhavan and clarified all issues raised by the governor.”
Concern Over Law And Order
Vala had a prolonged one-on-one meeting with the CM on issues related corruption in KPSC, alleged involvement of many senior police officers in the lottery and cricket betting scams.
The governor put the Chief Minster on the defensive as he is said to have conveyed his serious concern about the alleged involvement of senior police officers in the scams.
Sources said that Vala asked why the involvement of police officers in the scams had not come to the government’s notice. He is also said to have raised the recent incidents of chain-snatching.
KPSC Row
The governor’s recent action of sending back the file on the state cabinet’s request seeking permission to prosecute KPSC members S R Rangamurthy, Dr M Mahadev, Dr H V Parshwanath, S Dayashankar and H D Patil also figured prominently during the meeting, sources said.
The cabinet had decided to seek sanction for their prosecution based on the CID report on the huge irregularities in selection of 2011 batch gazetted probationary Group A and B officers. The government subsequently scrapped the selection list.
According to sources, Siddaramaiah was forced to raise the issue as the issue had come up before the High Court too on Monday. The developments in the court had put the Governor in an awkward position.
The government is yet to recommend alternative name for the post of Chairman of KPSC after the Governor rejected the name of V R Sudarshan. The CM, while speaking to reporters, however said the KPSC affairs did not figure during the talks.
