Weeks after Kerala Assembly passed the University Law (Amendment) Bill which mentioned about the replacement of Kerala governor Arif Mohammad Khan as Chancellor of Universities in the state, the governor sought legal advice from the High Court standing counsel. Governor Khan sought legal advice from the counsel over the validity of the bill passed in the Assembly. The state cabinet suggested that the chancellors of the state universities should be experts in the field of education.
"So far, I have not read it (Bill). I have asked Raj Bhavan to refer it to our legal advisor," Governor Khan said as quoted by news agency ANI.
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Earlier, the governor pointed out that the Kerala government doesn't have the "sole jurisdiction" over universities and their functioning over. He also said nill needed approval from the Centre.
The state cabinet had earlier decided to introduce a bill where Chancellors of state universities will be experts from the field of education, in the Assembly session. On December 13, the bill was passed after hours-long discussions during which the Congress-led UDF said it was not opposed to the removal of the Governor as Chancellor, but he should be selected from amongst retired Supreme Court judges and former Kerala High Court chief justices.
But, Kerala Law Minister P Rajeeve during the discussion in the Assembly said that a judge cannot be a part of the selection panel and the Speaker would be a better option.