Education paramount: Madras High Court seeks State's response on VC vacancies in TN universities

The Madras High Court on Wednesday sought responses from the University Grants Commission, the Tamil Nadu government and others on a plea seeking urgent intervention over the alleged failure to appoint Vice Chancellors in several State universities in Tamil Nadu [Bhaskar Vs Chairman].

A Bench of Chief Justice SA Dharmadikari and Justice Arul Murugan were hearing a petition filed by P Bhaskar.

Bhaskar has sought directions to ensure that Vice Chancellors are appointed in the State-run universities in accordance with the University Grants Commission Act and the UGC Regulations, 2018.

“After all, the concern of education, education in the State, is paramount,” the Court remarked during the hearing.

The petitioner has argued that the absence of regular Vice Chancellors has pushed the State’s higher education sector into uncertainty. He has sought a direction to the UGC to exercise its supervisory powers and oversee the implementation of UGC norms in universities where Vice Chancellor posts remain vacant.

Representing the petitioner, Senior Advocate NL Rajah argued today that the UGC cannot remain a silent spectator when several universities were functioning without their top academic heads.

“You have a power of superintendence. You can’t wring your hand in desperation, say, I can do nothing about it,” he submitted.

The petitioner has urged the Court to adopt a solution similar to the one devised by the Supreme Court in the West Bengal Vice Chancellor appointment dispute. In that case, the Supreme Court appointed a committee led by former Chief Justice of India UU Lalit to steer the search and selection process after a stalemate between the State government and the Governor, who is the Chancellor of State universities.

Tamil Nadu is facing a comparable situation today, the petitioner told the Madras High Court. There is no consensus between the State government and the Governor’s office on the constitution and composition of search-cum-selection committees.

The plea has, therefore, sought the appointment of a high-powered panel, preferably headed by a former Chief Justice of a High Court or a retired Supreme Court judge, to oversee the appointment process across universities.

The Court, however, indicated that such directions could not be passed at the first hearing without hearing the State and other respondents.

“First we have to issue notice. This is for the first time, correct. Without notice to the State, we can’t constitute a committee,” the Court said.

The respondents were asked to answer the points raised in the petition. The Court also said their replies should address how the Supreme Court proceeded in the West Bengal matter, including the information it sought before issuing directions.

The matter will be heard on July 29, along with connected cases concerning Vice Chancellor appointments.

The petitioner was represented by Senior Advocate NL Rajah with Advocate B Jagannath.