Thiruvananthapuram: Apparently bypassing the Governor’s authority over the matter, the Kerala Government has decided to form a search committee for the appointment of a Vice Chancellor at the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University. 

The Kerala Government’s move comes at a time when a petition, seeking to pass instructions to the Governor for appointing VCs, is about to be taken up. Interestingly, the Government is forming the search committee in line with the clauses of a Bill passed by the

Legislative Assembly, but which was not approved by the President.         

Meanwhile, critics of the Government are alleging that its latest move aims at delaying the appointments of VCs till the tenure of Arif Khan expires. 

As of now, there is an existing order by the Kerala High Court which gives powers to the Governor to form a search committee for the appointment of VCs. And the 2018 Regulation of the UGC stipulates to form the search committee by including UGC nominees and those from the academic field alone. 

So the Government move is to prevent the Governor from forming such a search committee, alleged the Save University Campaign committee.