Chancellor does not enjoy privileges of governor: Kerala tells HC

Kochi: The Kerala government on Wednesday informed the high court that the governor must act according to the advice of the state government. Though the governor is the chancellor of state universities, the latter does not have the privileges of the former, the government pleaded while making its argument in the case against the appointment of Prof Ciza Thomas as VC in-charge at APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University.

Advocate General Gopalakrishna Kurup told the court that the governor does not have constitutional powers while appointing vice-chancellors of universities since he is exercising the power of chancellor. The government can challenge the decisions of the chancellor. The appointment of Prof Ciza was in violation of the KTU Act, he argued.

Earlier, the high court had stated that the chancellor does not enjoy the privileges of governor and the government has the right to question his decisions.

According to the government, the powers of permanent and temporary vice-chancellors do not differ much.

Government approached against the appointment of Ciza Thomas stating that it was made against the KTU Act which stipulates the appointment criteria. Additionally, it argued that the UGC regulations do not specify the appointment of the in-charge. Hence, the Act has to be followed.

The appointment of a temporary vice-chancellor was necessitated as the Supreme Court dismissed the former VC Dr Rajasree MS citing the appointment was made in violation of the UGC regulations. It ruled that the UGC regulations are final if there is a clash with state acts.