West Bengal Governor welcomes Supreme Court verdict on Chancellor's role in appointment of V-Cs

West Bengal Governor C. V. Ananda Bose has welcomed the Supreme Court’s verdict on the role of the Governor, who is the ex-officio Chancellor of State-run universities, in the appointment of Vice-Chancellors, asserting the apex court has clarified the legal position of the Chancellor in the matter.

West Bengal Governor C. V. Ananda Bose has welcomed the Supreme Court's verdict on the role of the Governor, who is the ex-officio Chancellor of State-run universities, in the appointment of Vice-Chancellors, asserting the apex court has clarified the legal position of the Chancellor in the matter.

The Supreme Court, while hearing a case pertaining to the reappointment of Kerala's Kannur University Vice-Chancellor, said the Governor is not a mere titular head and in the selection of V-Cs, he is the sole judge and his opinion is final in all respects. By virtue of his office as the ex-officio Chancellor, he is not bound to act under the advice of the Council of Ministers.

"The Supreme Court has clarified the legal position of the Chancellor in the appointment of V-Cs... the Chancellor is the authority to appoint V-Cs. The court made it very clear that the State government of any State should keep off university administration, particularly in the appointment of V-Cs," Mr. Bose told reporters in Kolkata, on December 1.

Mr. Bose has locked horns with the West Bengal government over the appointment of Vice-Chancellors of several State-run universities, with the Higher Education Department claiming the orders appointing V-Cs were illegal as the Governor had not consulted the Department before making the appointments.

Referring to the termination of V-Cs of certain universities in West Bengal, Mr. Bose said they were recruited by the State by not following the proper process.

"I gave them the option to resign and told them that if you opt not to resign then as the Chancellor, I have the option to terminate you. But I will again go through the process. I will give a notice. The V-Cs met together for some time and told me gracefully that they would resign. The Education Minister was also there," he added.

Mr. Bose said he could not give an extension to V-Cs as suggested by the State government because he found them not eligible.