In an unexpected development, the governor's secretariat in Patna on Thursday advertised the cancellation of its earlier notifications related to the appointment of vice-chancellors of four universities — Veer Kunwar Singh University (VKSU), Ara; Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University (TMBU); Maulana Mazaharul Haq Arabic and Persian University (MMHAPU) and Magadh University (MU).
Meeting Between CM and Governor
The move by Lok Bhawan follows developments at a meeting between Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Governor-cum-Chancellor Syed Ata Hasnain on Tuesday. The two are believed to have held consultations on the appointment of vice-chancellors in these four universities, for which panels had already been submitted by the respective search committees after interviewing shortlisted candidates who had applied in response to the earlier advertisements.
Dissatisfaction with Previous Panels
It is learned that both the governor and the CM were not satisfied with the names included in the panels submitted during the tenure of former governor Arif Mohammed Khan. It was therefore decided to reject the panels and issue fresh advertisements after cancelling the earlier notifications.
The advertisements for the appointment of vice-chancellors of TMBU and VKSU were issued on May 28 last year, while those for MMHAPU and MU were published on June 5 and December 4 last year, respectively. Lok Bhawan sources said fresh advertisements inviting applications for the appointment of vice-chancellors in all four universities would be issued soon.
Other VC Appointments Underway
Interestingly, only last week, the governor's secretariat invited applications for the appointment of vice-chancellors of six universities — L N Mithila University (LNMU), Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit University (KSDSU), B N Mandal University (BNMU), B R A Bihar University (BRABU), Jaya Prakash University (JPU) and Aryabhatta Knowledge University (AKU). The last date for online submission of applications is June 20.
All six universities currently have full-time vice-chancellors, but their three-year terms are likely to end in the coming months. While the vice-chancellor of VKSU is serving on an extension of his three-year term granted by the former chancellor, the remaining three universities have caretaker vice-chancellors.
Restrictions on Officiating VCs
All the officiating vice-chancellors have been directed not to take any policy decisions and to confine themselves to routine day-to-day administration. They have also been instructed not to take up matters related to appointments, transfers or promotions of university staff, or works involving financial implications.
Pro-Vice Chancellor Posts to be Advertised
The posts of pro-vice-chancellors in all 17 state universities are also likely to be advertised shortly, sources said. At present, no university in the state has a pro-vice-chancellor.
