CHENNAI: The face-off between the DMK government and the Governor reached a new peak on Monday with the Tamil Nadu Assembly adopting two Bills to limit the Governor’s power to appoint vice-chancellors (V-Cs) to 13 State universities. The legislations seek to give effect to a promise made by Chief Minister MK Stalin in Assembly in January.
The Bills were adopted even as Governor RN Ravi chairs a twoday conference of V-Cs of State, Central and private universities in Tamil Nadu at Ooty. The AIADMK opposed the Bills right from their introduction, and the BJP staged a walk-out in protest.
The two Bills The Tamil Nadu Universities Laws (Amendment) Act, 2022, and the Chennai University (Amendment) Act, 2022 — were adopted by a voice vote. While the legislations still require the Governor’s assent to become law, analysts viewed the DMK government’s move as a means of registering its protest against the actions of Ravi, who has been sitting on many Bills, including the NEET Exemption Bill. The Bills said, according to the Acts in Gujarat, Telangana and Karnataka, the V-C shall be appointed by the Chancellor with the concurrence of the State government.
In line with the aforesaid other State University laws, the Tamil Nadu government is amending the laws to empower the State government in appointing V-Cs, the statement of objectives and reasons for the Bills said. Speaking on the Bills, Stalin said that previously vice-chancellors were appointed in consultation with the State government, but over the past four years the Governor has been acting as though he has the exclusive rights of appointment.
Stalin pointed out that in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home State of Gujarat, the State government appoints V-Cs, while in Telangana, Karnataka , and Andhr a Pradesh, they are appointed with the State government’s consent. “The elected government cannot appoint V-Cs now. This goes against democratic principles. Further, it causes shortcomings in administration of universities,” the chief minister said.
‘DMK government has registered its protest against Governor’s activities’
“The Punchhi Commission (2007) on inter-State relations observed there would be a clash of functions and powers if the power to appoint V-Cs is vested with Governors, and recommended it not be given to Governors. Nineteen States agreed with this view,” Stalin recalled, noting the AIADMK government accepted this recommendation in 2017.
After the DMK government assumed office last year, it reiterated this view to the Centre. “Above all, the Bills are about the rights of the elected State government,” he said, appealing to members to adopt the Bills unanimously. If the Governor assents to these Bills, the State government can appoint V-Cs to Madurai- Kamaraj University, Anna University, Bharathiar University, Bharathidasan University, Mother Teresa Women’s University, Alagappa University, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Periyar Univesity, Tamil Nadu Open University, Thiruvalluvar University, Tamil Nadu Teachers Education University, Annamalai University, and the University of Madras.
However, political analyst Tharasu Shyam said these Bills go against the norms of University Grants Commission Act. “The DMK government has registered its protest against the Governor’s activities. Beyond that, there may not be any use... However, Ravi’s moves are unbecoming of a Governor. The Bills can be forwarded to the President only after getting the Governor’s assent. Had the government adopted a resolution, it could have been sent to all authorities immediately,” he added.
T Velmurugan of TVK said the State should be able to appoint V-Cs to Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, MGR Medical University, and Tamil Nadu Agriculture University as well. The CM should be Chancellor of all State universities, he added. MMK leader MH Jawahirullah said, “The TN government has said it will not accept the New Education Policy.
The Governor convening a conference of V-Cs on that subject has caused a clash.” Congress leader K Selvaperunthagai said Jayalalithaa would have supported these Bills. PMK, CPI, MDMK, CPI, CPM and VCK members spoke in support of the Bills. Meanwhile, Stalin, accompanied by Minister Durai Murugan, Chief Secretary V Irai Anbu, and DMK parliamentary party leader TR Baalu, paid a “courtesy call” on Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu, who was in Chennai to present awards to exporting units operating under EOU and SEZ schemes. At the event, Naidu praised the TN government.
‘CAN’T ACT AGAINST CONSTITUTION’
Deputy Leader of Opposition, O Panneerselvam said AIADMK MLAs staged a walkout protesting an insulting remark of Minister KR Periyakaruppan and not protesting against the Bill on V-Cs’ appointment. He also said no Governor can act against the Constitution. BJP floor leader Nainar Nagenthran said the present procedure should continue (in V-C appointments). The State shouldn’t interfere in work of the Governor, he added.
‘About rights of elected government’
“Above all, this Bill is about the rights of the elected State government. So I appeal to all members to adopt this Bill unanimously,” CM Stalin said